Fungal Culture Bile
What is this test?
Fungal culture bile is performed on a sample of bile to check for the fungal growth in the bile (a digestive fluid). This test helps to know whether you have a fungal infection affecting the biliary system.
What are the biliary system fungal infections?
Fungal organisms are found anywhere in the environment. They exist as two forms yeasts and molds. The fungal organisms that exhibit a temperature-dependent switch between these two forms are known as dimorphic. These organisms can cause infections in individuals with poor immunity.
Candida species are the most common form of yeasts that cause fungal infections. These fungal organisms cause bloodstream infection with involvement of other organs. Cryptococcus species are another form of yeasts which can cause infections especially in individuals with poor immunity. Aspergillus genus members are a form of molds which can cause diseases and can trigger the allergic reactions in many individuals. Rhizopus, Mucor, Rhizomucor etc are other forms of molds that rarely cause infection.
Histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, sporotrichosis, coccidioidomycosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, and chromoblastomycosis are fungi that are dimorphic in nature. These fungal organisms exist as yeast form in infected individuals (host) and as a mold form in the environment.
Bile is a digestive fluid produced and released by the liver. It is a green to a yellowish brown colored fluid. It is stored in the gallbladder. It helps in the breakdown of fats into fatty acids and thus helps in digestion. It contains cholesterol, bilirubin, bile salts, water, body salts, etc. From the gallbladder bile is released into the duodenum (a part of the intestine) for digestion via bile ducts. Biliary obstruction or blockage of bile duct may result in accumulation of bilirubin in the blood. Variety of conditions and diseases can cause biliary obstruction. Infections are one condition amongst that. These infections can be due to bacterial or fungal infection. This test helps to determine whether the infection is due to fungus or not.
Biliary system fungal infections are less common and mainly affects the individuals with poor immunity. Candida species are the common fungal organisms that cause infections of the biliary tract. Biliary Candidiasis is the infections of the biliary tract with Candida species. Signs and symptoms of biliary system fungal infections are fever, dark urine, light-colored stools, yellowish eyes and skin, pain in the right side of the abdomen, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, etc.
Why this test is performed?
This test is performed as part of routine health screening or to determine the presence of fungal growth (mycoses) in the bile. Your doctor may ask to perform this test if you experience any signs and symptoms of biliary system fungal infections such as fever, dark urine, light-colored stools, yellowish eyes and skin, pain in the right side of the abdomen, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, etc. This test is also performed to monitor and evaluate the treatment effectiveness in individuals receiving treatment for biliary system fungal infections. However, your doctor may ask to perform a susceptibility testing on the fungi isolated from this culture test to determine the antifungal treatment.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Fungal Culture Bile. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Fungal Culture Bile.
No specific preparation is required for this test. However, follow all the instructions given by your healthcare provider.
Understanding your test results
The test results may be vary depending on gender, age, health conditions, and other factors.
If the culture test is positive it may indicate the growth of fungal organisms such as isolates of Candida species, or any other fungal organisms in the bile. It may indicate the presence of biliary system fungal infections. However, a few more additional tests may also be performed depending on the suspected cause and typical results, along with the physical symptoms to diagnose the exact infection.
If the culture test is negative it means no growth of fungal organisms is detected from the bile.
Based on the test results, your doctor may advise you appropriate medical treatments or further diagnostic tests.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| UNISEX | All age groups | The growth observed depends on the type of the fungal organism that grows |