How should fetal and placental tissue suspected of fungal contamination be cultured?

When culturing fetal and placental tissue suspected of fungal contamination, it is essential to use antifungal agents to inhibit the growth of unwanted fungal organisms while allowing for the recovery of any potential pathogens. Nystatin, an antifungal medication that is effective against a variety of fungi, is particularly useful in this context.

By adding Nystatin to the culture medium, you help create an environment that suppresses the growth of fungi, making it easier to identify and isolate specific pathogens of interest without interference from contaminating fungal flora. This targeted approach is crucial, as contaminated samples can lead to misinterpretations of results and affect patient care and outcomes.

Other options, such as culturing fetal tissue without additives or culturing with antibiotics, may not provide the necessary antifungal protection. Using antibiotics alone might not effectively address fungal contamination, as they are primarily designed to combat bacterial organisms rather than fungi. Culturing placental tissue alone does not take into consideration the potential need to examine fetal tissues that may also show signs of fungal infection. Therefore, using fetal tissue with Nystatin supports accurate and reliable culture results in cases where fungal contamination is a concern.