Candida (yeasts in stool) / semi-quantitative stool fungal culture – laboratory test

Description

Why test for yeast-like fungi in stool

This is a stool culture for yeast-like fungi, mainly of the genus Candida. The laboratory cultures the sample on a fungal growth medium and reports the result semi-quantitatively, meaning it describes whether yeasts have grown and in approximately what quantity. If they do grow, it usually also identifies the species, for example Candida albicans. It is important to know that Candida is part of the natural flora of the digestive tract: in a study of 695 healthy adults, C. albicans yeasts were detected in the intestines of around 83% of participants. The result is therefore only meaningful when considered alongside symptoms and risk factors.

When to consider this test

• chronic diarrhoea, bloating or abdominal pain after prolonged antibiotic treatment,
• persistent itching and redness around the anus,
• poorly controlled diabetes or long-term steroid treatment with bowel symptoms,
• a weakened immune system (e.g. during cancer treatment or following a transplant) and bowel symptoms,
• follow-up after antifungal treatment, if recommended by your doctor.

How to prepare

The test does not require a special diet or fasting. Pass stool into a clean, dry receptacle or onto a collection pad, ensuring that the sample does not come into contact with toilet water, urine or cleaning products. Use the scoop provided with the container to collect several small portions from different parts of the stool, close the container tightly, label it and deliver it to the collection point as soon as possible. If you take antifungal medicines, antibiotics or probiotics, ask your doctor when to have the test, as these may affect the result.

How to interpret the result

The presence of Candida in stool alone does not establish a diagnosis of candidiasis, and a negative result does not rule out infection elsewhere in the digestive tract, for example in the mouth or oesophagus. The scale used to describe the amount of growth varies between laboratories, so refer to the description on your report.

Other tests to consider

If you have bowel symptoms, consider: faecal calprotectin, general stool examination, stool culture, glycated haemoglobin HbA1c (if diabetes is suspected). Read more: Badania-Medyczne.pl.

Sources: ALAB laboratoria, Culture for yeast-like fungi (turnaround time, preparation); ALAB laboratoria, Fungal infection (candidiasis) of the intestines and digestive tract (Candida as commensal flora, risk factors, symptoms); Delavy et al., Gut Microbes 2023, Pasteur Institute, C. albicans carriage in 695 healthy people (82,9%); Szpital Uniwersytecki w Krakowie, Mycological tests (stool fungal culture, identification). This information does not replace a medical consultation.