We reported a modified CFW assay for rapid detection of fungi in blood samples and evaluated its efficacy in vivo and in vitro. The positive rate, sensitivity, and negative predictive values of the modified CFW method were all significantly higher than those of traditional fungal culture and KOH methods. • We first develop a modified CFW assay and evaluate its efficacy in vivo and in vitro. • The positive rate, sensitivity and negative predictive values of modified CFW assay • were all significantly higher than those from fungal culture and KOH method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]