Amphotericin B (AMB) (Fungizone™, Ambisome™, Abelcet™)

CPT Code(s)

87186

Synonym(s)

87188

Performed

Fungus Testing Laboratory

Clinical Indication and Relevance

AMB binds to sterol in the cell membrane disrupting membrane integrity. This causes intracellular components to leak which ultimately leads to cell death. This agent is appropriate for most fungi but some notable in vitro resistance occurs with Aspergillus terreus, Scedosporium boydii, Scedosporium apiospermum, Lomentospora (formerly Scedosporium) prolificans, and Purpureocillium lilacinum (formerly Paecilomyces lilacinus).

Please note that liposomal formulations do not lend themselves to testing according to CLSI methods. As the lipid does not add to antifungal activity but rather only facilitates delivery of the parent AMB in higher concentrations to the site of infection, we recommend testing only parent compound when interested in MICs for liposomal agents.

Yeast CPT 87186 Moulds CPT 87188

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