Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
BAL fluid, mycology, aspergillosis, nocardiosis, actinomycosis, TB, Ziehl staining
When to request this test
Suspected deep respiratory infection, aspergillosis, nocardiosis, actinomycosis or tuberculosis
Interferences & limitations
- Contamination by oropharyngeal flora during sampling procedure
- Oropharyngeal commensal flora include: viridans group Streptococci (Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus salivarius), Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (Staphylococcus epidermidis), Neisseria spp. (non-pathogenic species found in the upper respiratory tract), Corynebacterium spp. (often present but non-pathogenic unless Corynebacterium diphtheriae is suspected), Candida spp (frequently found in the oral cavity, particularly in immunocompromised patients, but rarely indicative of infection).
Antimicrobial treatment before sampling can inhibit germ growth leading to false-negative results.
It is recommended to stop antibiotics or anti-fungals before sample collection, if possible.
- 3 days for microbiology
- 10 days for mycology
- 20 days for actinomycosis or nocardiosis
- 1 day for TB PCR (45 days to 90 days for TB culture)
- Sample nature: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
- Recommended volume: 3mL for microbiology (add more if other specific request)
- Type of container: Sterile container
<2h at room temperature