Sputum fungal smear
A sputum fungal smear is a laboratory test that looks for fungus in a sputum sample. Sputum is the material that comes up from air passages when you cough deeply.
How the Test is Performed
A sputum sample is needed. You will be asked to cough deeply and spit any material that comes up from your lungs into a special container.
The sample is sent to a lab and examined under a microscope.
How to Prepare for the Test
There is no special preparation.
How the Test will Feel
There is no discomfort.
Why the Test is Performed
Your health care provider may order this test if you have symptoms or signs of a lung infection, such as if you have a weakened immune system due to certain medicines or diseases such as cancer or HIV/AIDS.
Cancer
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleHIV/AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleNormal Results
A negative result means no fungus was seen in the test sample.
Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Abnormal results may be a sign of a fungal infection. Such infections include:
- Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis is an infection or allergic response due to the aspergillus fungus.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Blastomycosis
Blastomycosis
Blastomycosis is an infection caused by breathing in the Blastomyces dermatitidis fungus. The fungus is found in decaying wood and soil.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Coccidioidomycosis
Coccidioidomycosis
Valley fever is an infection that occurs when the spores of the fungus Coccidioides immitis enter your body through the lungs.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis is infection with the fungi Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is an infection that occurs from breathing in the spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article
Risks
There are no risks associated with a sputum fungal smear.
Reviewed By
Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Banaei N, Deresinski SC, Pinsky BA. Microbiologic diagnosis of lung infection. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 19.
Saullo JL, Alexander BD. Fungal infections: opportunistic. In: Broaddus VC, King TE, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 57.