Test Name

FUNGAL (YEAST) ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY TESTING

Aliases

FUNGAL AST, YEAST AST

Abbreviations

-

Test Classification

INDIVIDUAL

Department

MICROBIOLOGY

Sub Department

MYCOLOGY

TAT Category

ELAPSED (CONTINUOUS) TIME

Estimated TAT

120

TAT Units

HOURS

Test Requirements

The required sample is NOT the original patient specimen (like blood or tissue), but rather a PURE culture isolate of the fungus that has already been grown from that original specimen. The clinical sample is first cultured on fungal media (e.g., SDA), the fungus is isolated, identified, and then subjected to antifungal susceptibility testing. The IDENTIFIED pure culture isolate is typically submitted in one of these forms: 1. On an agar plate (parafilm sealed culture plate containing the isolated fungus). 2. On an agar slant (organism growing on surface of solid medium in a sealed tube). 3. On a swab (sterile swab inoculated with the pure culture). The original specimen type/ infection site MUST be specified e.g. blood culture isolate, HVS culture isolate, isolate from CSF.

Clinical Utility

To guide optimal patient treatment i.e. determines which antifungal drugs (e.g. azoles, echinocandins, and polyenes) are effective against a specific fungal isolate. This is crucial for selecting targeted therapy, especially for drug-resistant or persistent infections. It also helps monitor antimicrobial resistance patterns in the community, informing public health strategies and infection control practices to ensure effective treatment outcomes.

Last Review

26th Feb 2026