What does the Culture, Mycology, and Parasitology (MALDI-TOF-identified culture with susceptibilities, yeast/fungi, and microscopic ova-and-parasite examination with immunoassays) test measure?

Why is Culture, Mycology, and Parasitology (MALDI-TOF-identified culture with susceptibilities, yeast/fungi, and microscopic ova-and-parasite examination with immunoassays) measured?

Culture with susceptibilities and MALDI-TOF identification can guide targeted therapy when a specific bacterial or fungal organism is recovered, and multi-specimen parasitology with immunoassays is a recognised approach for parasite detection. Culture nevertheless recovers only a culturable subset of the microbiome, so it complements rather than replaces the molecular components for community assessment.

Reference ranges

Standard reference

Cultured bacteria and yeast reported semi-quantitatively with susceptibilities where a target organism is recovered; no ova, parasites, or pathogenic protozoa detected on microscopy and immunoassays

Functional medicine optimal

Not applicable; a negative parasitology result is favourable but does not exclude infection given intermittent shedding

Units

semi-quantitative, detected / not detected

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.