1. A method for producing a lysate from cells contained in a blood sample, comprising agitating the blood sample within a bead beating system in the absence of a buffer, in the absence of a detergent, and in the presence of one or more endogenous blocking agents comprising urea under conditions sufficient to (i) lyse both a fungal pathogen and a bacterial pathogen and (ii) provide a lysate suitable for PCR amplification of DNA from the fungal pathogen, when present, and the bacterial pathogen, when present, said bead beating system comprising a bead beating tube and beads.