Journal of Laboratory Medicine and Quality Assurance  2016;38(3):143-150

doi:10.15263/jlmqa.2016.38.3.143

Survey of Fungal Cultures and the Identification Tests Used by Diagnostic Laboratories in Korea.

Seungok LEE 1 ; Gyong Gi YU ; Kang Hoon PARK ; Seong Yeoun LEE ; Dong Wook JEKARL ; Nam Surp YOON ; Mi Na KIM

Affiliations

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Keywords

Surveys and questionnaires; Proficiency testing; Clinical laboratory serivices; Fungi; Molds

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the current status of fungal cultures and the identification tests used by diagnostic laboratories in Korea. METHODS: From 22 October to 30 November 2013, we surveyed 76 laboratories, participating in the regular proficiency survey program of The Korean Association of Quality Assurance for Clinical Laboratory, with a questionnaire on fungal cultures and their identification tests. In March 2014, five mold were distributed to ninety-one participating laboratories, as an educational challenge. RESULTS: Fifty-six (73.7%) out of seventy-six laboratories replied to the survey questionnaire. Yeast was identified using commercial kits in all laboratories and to species level in 82.1% of the laboratories, whereas moulds were mainly identified by morphological examinations, to species level in 41.1% of the laboratories. The response rate to the five proficiency specimens was 67.0%–71.1%. The percentage of correctly identified dermatophytes was lower than that of Aspergillus species. CONCLUSIONS: An improvement is required in the mould culturing and identification techniques used in diagnostic laboratories in Korea.