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HelpTest Code LAB251 KOH Prep
Infectious
Clinical System Name
KOH Prep Only
Synonyms
Calcofluor Stain
Direct Fungal Exam
Fungal Prep
KOH Exam
LAB251
Sample Requirements
Specimen:
Hair: Collect several affected hairs including the root, and scrapings from affected area on scalp.
Skin: Obtain skin scrapings from the leading edge of the lesion preferably using a scalpel blade, or alternatively the edge of a microscope slide.
Nails: Clip infected nail, or obtain scrapings from the affected area using a scalpel blade.
Container: Sterile Container
Preferred Vol: N/A
Minimum Vol: N/A
Processing Instructions
CPA: Send sample to Microbiology for processing. If the sample is shared and only one tube, syringe or other container is received, affix shared sample label and send entire sample plus requisition to Microbiology.
Off-site Children's Lab locations: Send the sample to the SCH Microbiology Laboratory for processing. Sample should be kept at room temperature prior to and during courier transport. If the total time for specimen transport and arrival to SCH Microbiology Laboratory exceeds 2 hours from time of collection, then send sample STAT to SCH Microbiology Lab.
Other off-site locations: Keep sample at room temperature prior to and during courier transport to the SCH Microbiology Laboratory.
Stability
| Temp | Time |
|---|---|
| Room temp | 2 hours |
| Refrigerated | N |
| Frozen | N |
Availability
| Procedure | Performed | Turn Around Time (TAT) |
|---|---|---|
| KOH | 24/7 |
24 hours |
Performing Laboratory
Seattle Children's Laboratory
Department
Microbiology Laboratory
CPT Codes
87220
This test is not limited to the CPT codes listed. Others may be added as more testing is necessary and depending on the pathogens isolated (example: MIC's and ID codes)
Description
Includes KOH examination for the presence of yeast or fungal elements. This order does not include a culture for Fungus. See Fungal Culture and KOH Prep or Fungal Culture and KOH Prep for Dermatophytes to request a full culture including a KOH exam.
Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) digests human tissue cells and helps reveal fungal elements. It is used primarily for hair, skin, and nail samples.
For genital samples, yeast can be easily see on Gram Stain included with Genital Culture. Yeast can also be see on Genital Wet Mount.
Notifiable Result
See Link below for Notifiable Conditions for WA state labs:
https://doh.wa.gov/public-health-healthcare-providers/notifiable-conditions
See Link below for PDF of phone numbers for Local Health jurisdictions (by County) in WA State:
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1200/LHJCommunicableDiseaseReporting.pdf
Reporting Information
Final Report: 24 hours