Candida albicans quantitative blood culture
This test checks for the presence of *Candida albicans*, a type of yeast that can cause infections in the bloodstream. It helps doctors determine if you have a serious fungal infection requiring treatment.
["A positive result may indicate a bloodstream infection needing medical attention."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 6059-0
- Short code
- CANDIGE
- Synonyms
- C albicans IgE Qn
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST) or red-top tube
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 0.35
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- Fluorescent Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA) / ImmunoCAP
- CPT
- 86003
- SNOMED
- 415684004
- Specimen volume
- 1.0 mL serum (minimum 0.5 mL)
- Stability
- Stable for 7 days at 2-8°C; for longer storage, freeze at -20°C or below
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What Is This Test For?
This test detects *Candida albicans*, a common yeast found in healthy people’s bodies. However, certain conditions (like weakened immunity or recent medical procedures) can allow it to multiply and cause infections. The blood culture identifies if this yeast is growing in your blood, which could signal a systemic infection.
How Is the Test Performed?
A small sample of your blood is drawn by a healthcare professional and placed in special containers to encourage yeast growth. The sample is then incubated in a lab for several days to detect any fungal growth. If *Candida albicans* is present, it will appear as colonies in the culture.
What Does a Positive Result Mean?
A positive result means the lab found *Candida albicans* growing in your blood. This could indicate a bloodstream infection (sepsis) caused by the yeast, which may require antifungal medications. However, not all positive results mean you have an active infection—some may be false positives or from contamination.
What Does a Negative Result Mean?
A negative result means no *Candida albicans* was detected in your blood sample. This does not guarantee you are not infected with another type of yeast or fungus, or that you do not have an infection elsewhere in your body.
Reference range
<0.35 kU/L: Negative; 0.35-0.69 kU/L: Equivocal/Low; 0.70-3.49 kU/L: Moderate; 3.50-17.49 kU/L: High; >17.50 kU/L: Very HighN/A
No special preparation required. Patient should inform clinician of any antihistamine or corticosteroid use, as these medications may affect IgE results.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Short name
Candida blood culture
Frequently asked questions
Why might I need this test?
What are the risks of this test?
How long does it take to get results?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy