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Test Code C Fungus Nail skin hair Culture Fungus Nail Skin Hair

Patient Preparation

See Collection Instructions

Special Collection Instructions

Specimen Instructions
Nail
  1. Remove nail polish if present.
  2. Wipe the nail with 70% alcohol on gauze—not cotton.
  3. Collect debris from under nail & place in sterile container.
  4. Scrape the outer surface of nail & discard.
  5. Collect scrapings from the deeper diseased areas & add to the same container.
  6. Label container appropriately.
Skin
  1. Cleanse affected area with 70% alcohol.
  2. Gently scrape surface of skin at active margin of lesion.
  3. Do not draw blood.
  4. Place scrapings in sterile screw top container.
  5. Label container appropriately.
Hair
  1. With forceps, collect 10 – 12 affected hairs with bases of shafts intact. (Collect scalp scales also, if present, along with active borders of lesions)
  2. Place in sterile screw top container.
  3. Label container appropriately.

Collection Method

Follow appropriate collection procedures

Minimum Volume

None

Container

Sterile Cup

Acceptable Specimens

  • Fingernail
  • Hair
  • Nail Clippings
  • Scalp
  • Skin Scrapings
  • Toenail

Reference or Target Ranges

Negative

Reportable Units

Positive/Negative

Critical Value

Not defined for this assay

Reasons for Rejection



<!-- Rejection-->
Hemolysis Threshold
 N/A
Icterus Threshold
 N/A
Lipemia Threshold
 N/A
Other
 QNS, contaminated, improperly labled, improper specimen type, specimen received in formalin, more than 1 specimen from same source per day

Specimen Stability



<!-- Stability -->
Ambient
 2 hours
Refrigerated (4°C to 8°C)
 N/A
Frozen(-40°C to 0°C)
 N/A

Performance Information



<!-- Performance information -->
Days and Time Performed
 Daily
Expected Turn Around Time
 4 weeks
Stat Availabilty
 No
Performing Bench
 Microbiology
Methodology/Method Description
 Culture

CPT Codes

87101