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Fructosamine Fungal Culture 1345

Fructosamine
VetBooks.ir Definition Next Diagnostic Steps to Consider

ment protocol should be re-evaluated, and
Fructosamine is a composite measurement of if Levels are High been causing periods of hypoglycemia. Treat-
glycated serum proteins (mainly albumin). • When hyperglycemia is measured a single serial glucose measurements (glucose curve)
It is measured to strengthen the suspicion time, increased fructosamine concentration is warranted.
of diabetes mellitus (especially in cats) or supportive of a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus
to monitor glycemic control in known as opposed to stress-related hyperglycemia Drug Effects
diabetics. (cats). Levodopa can falsely increase fructosamine
• Magnitude of increased fructosamine measurement.
Physiology concentration in a known diabetic can
The degree of increase in fructosamine con- help determine if insulin therapy and other Lab Artifacts
centration is dependent on the magnitude glycemic management protocols may need to Check with laboratory to see if hemolysis
and duration of hyperglycemia over the span be optimized. Serial glucose measurements or lipemia may interfere with the specific
of the previous 2-3 weeks. Transient hyper- (glucose curve) may be necessary to better methodology used.
glycemia (i.e., stress or epinephrine-mediated tailor therapy.
hyperglycemia) will not increase fructosamine Specimen Collection and Handling
concentration over the reference interval. Alter- Causes of Abnormally Low Levels If mailing sample to outside laboratory,
ing the amount or half-life of albumin and Persistent hypoglycemia (for example, a patient collect blood into red top tube, allow to clot,
other serum proteins will accordingly change with insulinoma), hypoproteinemia, and/or centrifuge, transfer serum to separate tube, and
the fructosamine concentration. decreased half-life of serum proteins (as seen in refrigerate until shipment. Ship overnight with
hyperthyroidism). Not normally run in animals cold packs. Some laboratories will accept either
Reference Interval with hypoglycemia serum or heparinized plasma.
Varies by laboratory. Example: 142-450 mcmol/L
Next Diagnostic Steps to Consider Relative Cost: $$
Causes of Abnormally High Levels if Levels are Low
Persistent hyperglycemia (diabetes mellitus). A low fructosamine concentration in a diabetic AUTHOR: Angela Royal, MS, DVM, DACVP
EDITOR: Lois Roth-Johnson, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Hypothyroidism can also cause a mild increase. patient receiving insulin suggests therapy has

Fungal Culture

Definition Causes of Abnormally High Levels Drug Effects Laboratory Tests
Microbiologic analysis of tissue or exudate for Fungal infection or contamination Corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive
growth of fungal organisms therapies may enhance organism growth.
Next Diagnostic Steps to Consider
Physiology if Levels are High Lab Artifacts
Laboratory conditions enhance growth of Culture is definitive. Used as a confirmatory False-negative: improper media or growth
pathogens and allow isolation of fungal colonies test for dermatophytes. Aspergillus spp. may be conditions
and their subsequent identification by morpho- cultured for specific identification if organisms
logic features and chemical tests. Specimens are seen in cytologic or histologic specimens. Specimen Collection and Handling
from animals suspected of cryptococcosis, • Dermatophytes: hair plucked from affected
blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, or coccidioi- Important Interspecies Differences areas should be submitted in dermatophyte
domycosis should not undergo fungal culture Dermatophytes may cause pseudomycetoma test media or sterile dry containers.
in the veterinary clinical setting due to health (deep granulomatous or pyogranulomatous • Tissue or exudate: sterile, dry container
risk to veterinary personnel. Fungal culture lesions) in cats, especially Persian cats, and
is commonly employed for dermatophytosis nodular dermatophytosis (kerion) in dogs. Relative Cost: $$
(p. 247) or saprophytic infections. Culture of superficial scrapings or hair typically
is negative in these cases. AUTHOR: Sharon M. Dial, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Reference Interval EDITOR: Lois Roth-Johnson, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Reported as negative or degree (light, moderate,
heavy) of growth of specific pathogens

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