Specimen Required

EXUDATE:  Preferred specimen is obtained by physician from an undrained abscess by needle and syringe.  Swabs of open wounds are frequently contaminated and are of limited value.

SPUTUM:  Culture not performed.  Please refer to Bronchial wash/brushing/lavage

BRONCHIAL WASH/BRUSHING/LAVAGE:  Collected by physician during bronchoscopy.  Bronchial washes and lavages submit in sterile container.  For bronchial brushings, brush submitted in 1ml sterile saline.

CSF/PLEURAL FLUIDS:  Collected by physician and submitted in sterile container

TISSUE:  Tissue collected by physician in sterile container

EAR:  Collected by physician/nurse submitted in sterile container

MUCOCUTANEOUS:  Lesions or ulcers in the nasal passage require samples from the advancing margin.  Oral lesions or eschars should be biopsied and transported in same manner as tissue

SINUS:  Collection by endoscopic aspiration or submitted as sinus tissue from surgery.  

**Nasal cultures are not appropriate for the diagnosis of sinus infections due to potential presence of nonetiological fungi**