Antimicrobial Susceptibility - Fungal (Yeasts and Molds)
Ordering Recommendation
Use to determine in vitro susceptibility of fungal organisms to antifungal agents.
New York DOH Approval Status
Specimen Required
Actively growing isolate in pure culture.
Transport sealed container with pure culture on agar slant. Place each specimen in individually sealed bag.
Room temperature.
Mixed cultures or nonviable organisms.
Isolate identification and specimen source required.
Ambient: 2 weeks; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: Unacceptable
Methodology
Broth Microdilution
Performed
Sun-Sat
Reported
2-21 days
Reference Interval
Susceptible, intermediate, SDD (susceptible dose dependent), or resistant.
MICs (minimum inhibitory concentrations) interpretations are based on current CLSI guidelines.
MECs (minimum effective concentration) without interpretation are reported for select mold species only.
Interpretive Data
Refer to report.
Depends on Specimen/Source/Method
Note
Vitreal Penetration: Systemic administration of echinocandins is not recommended for ocular infections because it has minimal tissue penetration. Consult ophthalmology, pharmacy, or infectious disease service for guidance.
CSF Penetration: The echinocandins have suboptimal penetration in CSF and CNS tissues. Consult the pharmacy and/or infectious disease service for additional guidance.
Urine Penetration: ONLY fluconazole and flucytosine (note that the lack of detectable urine concentrations does not necessarily preclude use of other drugs when the infection involves the renal parenchyma). Liquid formulations of amphotericin B do not achieve adequate urine concentrations and should not be used to treat UTIs.
5-fluorocytosine: 5-FC should not be used as monotherapy for severe Candida infection because resistance can develop rapidly. It should be used rarely in neonates.
Selective reporting by organism and source. The following antifungal agents are tested: Amphotericin B, anidulafungin, caspofungin, fluconazole, 5-fluorocytosine, itraconazole, isavuconazole, micafungin, posaconazole, and voriconazole.
Susceptibility testing of some molds is not clinically relevant (i.e., Penicillium species or Cladosporium species).
Susceptibility testing for dermatophytes and dimorphic fungi is not performed at ARUP. If requested, isolates will be sent to the Fungus Testing Laboratory, San Antonio, TX. Specify agents to be tested on the susceptibility test requisition form.
Testing is not performed on isolates from environmental sources.
An additional processing fee will be billed for all organisms not submitted in pure culture, as indicated in the specimen requirements.
If species identification is not provided or if incorrect identification is provided, identification will be performed at ARUP. Additional charges apply.
An additional charge will be added to requests for drug testing not performed at ARUP and require isolate sendout.
Hotline History
Hotline History
CPT Codes
87186
Components
Component Test Code* | Component Chart Name | LOINC |
---|---|---|
2009257 | Susceptibility, Fungal (Yeasts & Molds) | 29577-4 |
Aliases
- Fungal
- Fungus
- MEC
- MIC
- Microdilution
- Mold
- Mould
- Susceptibility
- Yeast