Specimen Requirements

Submit only one of the following

Specimen Type: Varied sources. Indicate source of specimen
Container/Tube: Sterile screw-capped container
Collection Instructions:

Obtain superficial lesions or scrapings:

1) Clean the surface with sterile water.
2) Use a clean scalpel blade to scrape the periphery of the lesion border; collect material with a moistened sterile swab for culture.

Hair: Include hair that is selectively collected for examination with samples from scalp lesions.

Skin scraping: clean gently with sterile water and remove scraping.

Nails: clean with 70% alcohol first. Cut the infected nail and obtain the scrapings beneath the nail plate. Place the specimen in a sterile container without preservative.

Body fluids: send > 10.0 mL.

Bronchial washings: acceptable for fungal culture.

Urine: Submit first early morning midstream urine sample.

CSF: send at least 1.0 mL sample.