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Where should you send samples?
All samples should be sent with a sample request form (Click here to obtain a PDF form to print off). The minimum requirement is that the specimen must be labelled with :
Surname and Forename,
Date of Birth,
your Laboratory Number,
and the request form must contain the SAME information as the sample plus the following information:
Hospital record number
NHS number
Address for report
Consultant or GP
Name of requestor
Type of specimen
Date and time of collection
Tests required
and addressed to:
Regional Mycology Laboratory Manchester
2nd Floor Laboratory,
Education and Research Centre
Wythenshawe Hospital
Southmoor Road
Manchester M23 9LT
TEL: (0161) 291 2124 (laboratory)
or (0161) 291 5839 (office)
OR send to Hayes DX Number: DX6968700 Northenden 90M
For further information, advice on sending samples or to inform us of urgent specimens please telephone.
Our requirements
In order for us to help you by providing a rapid service the following guidelines must be followed:
- For the fastest possible service for urgent samples please give us advanced warning that you are sending specimens.
- For flucytosine assays please send samples immediately, by taxi if necessary. Please phone us before 12 noon to facilitate assay preparation.
- Do not wait for yeast identity before sending off a culture, we include identification
- For assay specimens please ensure that all antifungal drugs the patient is receiving are written on the form.
Turnaround times
Our aim is to provide you with accurate results as soon as possible. The introduction of new versions of susceptibility tests, molecular identification and serological assays has led to even quicker turn around times. Shown below is an analysis of average turnaround times for various types of tests.
Identification
Identification: average turnaround of 1-7 days
Susceptibility of yeasts: average turnaround of 2.2 days
Susceptibility of moulds: average turnaround of 3.6 days
Antifungal assays:
Flucytosine 1.1 day
Itraconazole 1.6 days
Voriconazole 1.6 days
Fluconazole 1.0 day
Serological assays
Aspergillus precipitin test 5-8 days
Aspergillus galactomannan ELISA 1-2 days
Aspergillus precipitin test 1-2 days
Culture and identification of agents of dermatomycoses
Direct microscopy: 1-2 days
Culture and identification:
Yeasts 1-3 days
Dermatophytes 1-3 weeks
Non-dermatophytes 1 week
These times are average times – results for urgent specimens may be available earlier. Susceptibility tests, antifungal assay reults and most serological tests are telephoned, thus reducing reporting delays.
Costings
| Identification and Susceptibility |
PRICE |
Standard yeast susceptibility package:
flucytosine, fluconazole, amphotericin B and caspofungin full identification and long term storage |
£70.28 |
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Standard yeast package, plus 1 additional susceptibility |
£82.88 |
| Standard yeast package, plus 2 additional susceptibilities |
£95.49 |
| Standard yeast package, plus 3 additional susceptibilities |
£108.09 |
Standard mould susceptibilty package:
itraconazole, amphotericin B and voriconazole identification and
long term storage |
£86.48 |
| Standard mould susceptibility package, plus 1 additional susceptibility |
£92.86 |
| Standard mould susceptibility package, plus 2 additional susceptibilities |
£99.26 |
| Identification only (yeast or mould) |
£18.21 |
| Synergy testing (yeast or mould) available upon request |
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| Antifungal Assays |
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| Measurement of one sample for antifungal drugs |
£54.56 |
Fungal Serology |
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Aspergillus galactomannan antigen ELISA |
£46.00 |
Aspergillus precipitn test: |
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Screening:
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Aspergillus fumigatus |
£14.00 |
Aspergillus fumigatus plus 4 additional aspergillus species |
£19.00 |
Titre:
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Aspergillus fumigatus |
£17.00 |
Aspergillus fumigatus plus 4 additional aspergillus species
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£27.00
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Cryptococcal antigen test: |
£31.60 |
Dermatology services |
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Culture and identification of dermatophytes and non-dermatophytes from skin, nail and hair |
£12.54 |
Investigations of mouldy houses and hospitals |
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Surveillance of hospital environments for Aspergillus species |
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Sampling by RMLM staff, per hour |
£10.90 |
Culture and identification, per sample plate |
£18.21 |
Surveillance of homes,workplaces, public buildings,allergenic moulds and indicators of water damage- all inclusive price for sampling, identification and interpretation. Per sample. |
£90.00 |
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Clinical advice
Clinical advice for individual patients can be provided by our Consultant Infectious Disease Clinicians: Prof David W. Denning or Dr William Hope. This can be arranged by telephoning 0161 291 2124. Emergency medical advice can be obtained out these hours by contacting Professor Denning via the switchboard on (0161) 998 7070. Dr Denning is also available to discuss the use of trial antifungal compounds, where necessary.
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