Virology & Mycology
Open Access

Fungal Cultures

A fungal culture is a procedure used to determine if fungi are present in an area of the body. Fungi are microorganisms that thrive in moist, dark places, such as shoes, damp locker rooms, or the folds of the skin. Some types of fungi are harmless, whereas others can cause infections.

A fungal culture might also be referred to as a “fungal smear.” It can be used to test various areas of the body, including:

blood skin mucosal surfaces, such as wounds or the genital region nails