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Fungal Culture Collection Methods

Specimen Type or Site

Volume or Method of Collection

Transport Container 

Direct Exam Performed
Abscess 1-5 ml with needle and syringe

Luer-lock capped syringe; NO NEEDLES
Yes
Biopsy (Tissue, Autopsy)

1 gm Tissue/3 mm punch biopsy

 Sterile vial, tube or cup, with a few drops of sterile water to maintain moisture Yes
Hair Hair shaft and base Sterile container No
Nail Nail shavings and debris under nail plate Sterile container No
Skin Skin scrapings Sterile container By request only
Swabs (Inferior specimen - send ONLY if no other means of obtaining material. Eswab, White
(Lawson #309762)		 No

Reviewed by J. Carr on December 05, 2025

UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514