Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) for Fungus Culture Test Cost & Procedure

To screen for fungal growth in the cerebrospinal fluid, a liquid sample is examined under the microscope (CSF- a fluid found in the brain and spinal cord). This test can determine if your brain or spinal cis cord is affected by a fungus infection.

What kind of fungi cause CSF infections?

There are fungi everywhere in the environment. Moulds and yeasts are the two shapes that they take. Dimorphic fungi can transition between these two states in response to temperature. Infections from these organisms can occur in people with weakened immune systems.

What are fungal infections?

These fungi infect the circulation and other organs. Another type of yeast that can cause infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems, is the Cryptococcus species. Members of the Aspergillus genus are a type of mould that can infect people and induce allergic reactions in many people—other types of mould, such as Rhizopus, Mucor, and Rhizomucor, infrequently cause infection.

Describe CSF:

The brain and spinal cord contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It is a transparent, fluid substance that shields the spinal cord and brain. The choroid plexus cells in the brain's ventricles (chambers) generate and secrete CSF. Daily production of 500 ml of CSF, circulation, and blood absorption is normal. The central nervous system can be impacted by many different disorders and diseases (brain and spinal cord). One of the conditions is an infection. Bacterial or fungal infections can cause CSF infections. This test aids in identifying whether or not the disease is caused by fungus.

Why is this test conducted?

• This test is done to either check for mycoses (fungal growth) in the cerebrospinal fluid or as part of routine health screening.
• If you exhibit any CSF fungal infection symptoms, such as fever, chills, cough, stiff neck and muscles, difficulty breathing, headaches, nausea, etc., your doctor may request that this test be done.
• Also, this test is used to track and assess treatment efficacy in patients with CSF fungus infections.
• To decide on the antifungal medication, however, your doctor might request a susceptibility test on the fungi isolated from this culture test and sometimes referred to as CSF for Fungal Culture and Sensitivity.

Interpreting the findings of your test:

• The test findings could differ based on a person's gender, age, health, and other circumstances.
• If the culture test results are positive, it may mean that there are growing fungal organisms in the CSF fluid, such as isolates of the Candida, Aspergillus, or Cryptococcus species.
• It can be a sign of CSF fungus infections.
• To diagnose the specific condition, other tests may also be carried out, following the probable cause, unexpected outcomes, and physical symptoms.
• If the culture test results are negative, no fungal organisms are growing in the CSF fluid.
• Your doctor might suggest appropriate medical treatments or additional diagnostic tests based on the test results.