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Test Code LAB233 Culture, Anaerobic

Important Note

Both aerobic and anaerobic cultures should be ordered when a bacterial infection is suspected in a normally sterile body site.

For best results, collect an aspirate or biopsy from the affected tissues or tissue spaces while avoiding contamination with cutaneous or mucosal microbiota.

Infectious

Specimen Type

Tissue, fluid, or swab specimen

Specimen Requirement

Note: A descriptive anatomic source is required.

 

Body fluid: at least 0.5 ml Collect by aspiration.  Do not submit a swab dipped in the fluid.

Submit entire collection in a sterile container with anaerobic atmosphere.

 

Tissue: at least 1 gram (pea size) Submit entire collection in a sterile container without fixative
or preservative.  Add a few drops of sterile, non-bacteriostatic saline to prevent desiccation.

 

Swab: eSwab (flocked swab in 1 ml liquid Amies): collect specimen from normally sterile site.

For deep wounds, clean and debride prior to sampling wound base and margins.

Rejection Criteria

Reject if specimen container is unlabeled or leaking.

Reject for inappropriate storage or transport.

Reject if specimen contains a needle.

Reject if non-sterile site, superficial collection.

Storage and Transport

Store specimens for anaerobic culture at room temperature.

 

Tissue and fluid: transport to the Microbiology laboratory at room temperature within 48 hours in anaerobic transport container. 

Transport within 2 hours if no anaerobic transport container is available (sample is in specimen cup).

 

Swab: transport eSwab to the Microbiology laboratory at room temperature within 24 hours or 4 decrees C within 48 hours.  Transport the BD Anaerobic specimen collector to the Microbiology laboratory at room temperature within 72 hours.

Testing Schedule

Performed daily

Reference Range

No growth in 7 days (sterile site).

Testing Department

Microbiology

Method

Culture

CPT Code

87075

Turnaround Time

Preliminary Result 48 hours

STAT Turnaround Time

Not Applicable