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TEST ID ANACULT CULTURE, ANAEROBIC

Important Note

For the isolation, quantitation, and identification of anaerobic pathogens isolated from clinical specimens.

-Aerobic culture and gram stain is automatically included.  This test cannot be ordered alone.

-Aspirated material, tissues, and biopsy are the preferred specimen type.  Specimen submitted on swabs are less desirable due to smaller specimen volume, increase chance of contamination with normal microbiota, and adherence of bacteria to swab fibers.

-Specimens collected from the areas of the body that contain anaerobes as part of the normal flora will likely yield numerous anaerobic isolates of doubtful significance and results may be misleading.

-The presence of squamous epithelial cells on the gram stain of swab specimens suggest superficial contamination, which may indicate the specimen is not appropriate for anaerobic culture.

Infectious

Performing Laboratory

NRLS-Microbiology

Specimen Type

Sterile container for body fluids, bone, and/or tissues

Sterile syringe, capped with the needle removed for aspirates

BD Eswab transport system

Other culture collection swabs (Red top, if received in the laboratory within one hour of collection)

Blue gel swab or other swab that maintains anaerobic conditions

Specimen Required

Abscesses:

1) Aspirate material with needle and syringe after the surface of intact tissue is disinfected

Deep wound drainages or Sinus tracts:

1) Aspirate material with small flexible cathter and syringe after proper disinfection of the skin surface.

2) May submit curettings of material from deep within the tract or wound

Decubiti and other surface ulcers:

1) Submit specimens from punch biopsy or aspirated material using a needle and syringe after thorough and proper disinfection of the suface area.  

2)  May submit small curettings of material from deep tissue at the wound margin, after proper disinfection of the surface area.

Pulmonary specimens:

Lung tissue, transtracheal aspirates, percutaneous aspirates, and transcutaneous aspirate

Female genital specimens:

Specimens collected by laparoscopy, culdocentesis, or surgery are appropriate for anaerobic culture

Urine:

Suprapubic bladder tap

Orthopedic specimens:

Aspiration of synovial tissue, biopsy of synovium, or other joint tissue

Swabs:

Collection using polyurethane adsorbing material (not cotton) flocked swabs in anaerobic transport media, after thorough and proper disinfection of the suface area.  

 

Specimen Minimum Volume

At least 0.5ml of fluid/aspirate (preferred)

One swab in anaerobic transport media

 

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Fluid/aspirate/tissue in sterile container (preferred) Ambient Within one hour
Eswab/swab in anaerobic transport Ambient Within 24 hours

 

Reference Values

An interpretive report will be provided

Day(s) Performed

Sunday through Saturday

Report Available

Preliminary report at 48 hours

Final report available within 6 days

Final report at 14 days, depending on collection site

Rejection Criteria

Specimens submitted that are considered inappropriate for anaerobic culture:

     -Bronchial washing/lavages or brushings

     -Expectorated sputums

     -Nasopharyngeal/nasal swab

     -Throat swabs

     -Decubitus ulcers (surface swabs)

     -Feces or rectal swabs

     -Gastric or small bowel contents

     -Urethral, vaginal, or cervical swabs

     -Voided or Catheterized urine

     -Superficial/open skin lesion swab

     -Catheter tips

-The presence of epithelial cells on the gram stain indicate specimen may be contaminated with skin flora and is not appropriate for anaerobic culture

-Specimens submitted that have exceeded stability requirements