0
A sputum fungal smear is a laboratory test that looks for fungus in a sputum sample.Sputum is the material that comes up from air passages when you cough very deeply.
Alternative NamesKOH test; Fungal smear - sputum; Fungal wet prep; Wet prep - fungal
How the test is performedA sputum sample is needed. You will be asked to cough deeply and spit any material that comes up from your lung into a special container.
The sample is sent to a lab. A small amount is lightly smeared onto a microscope slide and mixed with potassium hydroxide (KOH). The slide is examined under the microscope and checked for fungus parts.
How to prepare for the testThere is no special preparation.
How the test will feelThere is no discomfort.
Why the test is performedYour doctor may order this test if you have abnormal sputum production or signs of a lung infection.
Normal ValuesA normal test should show no fungus on the microscope slide.
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanAbnormal results may be a sign of a fungal infection. Such infections include:
- Blastomycosis
- Coccidioidomycosis
- Cryptococcus
- Histoplasmosis
White blood cells called eosinophils may also be present. An abnormal result may also be due to acute pulmonary eosinophilia (Loeffler syndrome).
What the risks areThere are no risks associated with a sputum fungal smear.
ReferencesLimper AH. Overview of pneumonia. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 97.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoA sputum fungal smear is a laboratory test that looks for fungus in a sputum sample.Sputum is the material that comes up from air passages when you cough very deeply.
Alternative NamesKOH test; Fungal smear - sputum; Fungal wet prep; Wet prep - fungal
How the test is performedA sputum sample is needed. You will be asked to cough deeply and spit any material that comes up from your lung into a special container.
The sample is sent to a lab and examined under a microscope.
How to prepare for the testThere is no special preparation.
How the test will feelThere is no discomfort.
Why the test is performedYour doctor may order this test if you have symptoms or signs of a lung infection, especially if you have a weakened immune system due to certain medicines or diseases such as cancer, HIV, or AIDs.
Normal ValuesA normal (negative) result means no fungus was seen in the test sample.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanAbnormal results may be a sign of a fungal infection. Such infections include:
- Aspergillosis
- Blastomycosis
- Coccidioidomycosis
- Cryptococcus
- Histoplasmosis
An abnormal result may also be due to acute pulmonary eosinophilia (Loeffler syndrome).
What the risks areThere are no risks associated with a sputum fungal smear.
ReferencesLimper AH. Overview of pneumonia. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds.Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 97.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 12/06/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How do you do a sputum smear?
A sputum smear is done to check for pathogenic microbes. A sensitivity test should be also done to check to see what antibiotic or drug can control that microbe. This done by taking some sputum from a patient and smearing a small amount that has been diluted with saline on to a slide. A sterile "hockey" shaped glass instrument is used or another sterile slide using the end.
Want is a skin scrap?
Skin scrap need for investigate direct smear for skin fungus infection befor start anti fungal therapy
Can a fungal infection cause abnormal pap smear?
A Pap smear is meant to find changes in the cells of the cervix that could indicate cancer or a pre-cancerous condition. Occasionally, the pap smear will also indicate that there's an imbalance in the normal bacteria of the vagina, but it is not done for that purpose. A pap smear itself can't test for bacterial STDs in the vagina. If you want to know if you have chlamydia or gonorrhea, ask for those tests by name.
How is South American blastomycosis diagnosed?
can diagnose the condition by microscopic examination of a smear prepared from a lesion or sputum (spit). Biopsy specimens may also reveal the infection. While blood tests are helpful, they can't determine the difference between past and active infection.
What test is performed on sputum to detect the presence of mycobacterium tuberculosis?
Smear microscopy of sputum is often the first TB test to be used in countries with a high rate of TB infection. Sputum is a thick fluid that is produced in the lungs and the airways leading to the lungs. A sample of sputum is usually collected by the person coughing. This very rapid and inexpensive but it does have a high false positive rate.In 2011 the World Health Organization issued a policy statement recommending that conventional fluorescence microscopy should be replaced by LED microscopy. It also recommended that in a phased way, that LED microscopy should replace conventional Ziehl-Neelsen light microscopy. This method is slower and more expensive and may not be use as often as it should be.
Can a pap smear stop you from conceiving?
A pap smear does not affect your fertility. You are as likely to get pregnant after a pap smear as you are before a pap smear.
What can be observed on a plaque smear wet mount?
difference in plaque smear and yeast smear
What is the abbreviation for papanicolaou smear?
Pap smear.
Can you give me a sentence using the word smear?
The whole scandal is nothing more than a rival smear campaign.We will need to perform a smear test.She began to smear the paint on the canvas with her bare hands.
When was Pop Smear created?
Pop Smear was created in 1993.
When was Steve Smear born?
Steve Smear was born in 1948.
Why do you air dry a smear?
To avoid denaturing and destroying the smear.
