Specimen Collection

 Microbiology Specimen Collection Procedure

Anaerobic Culture Specimen Considerations

1.The following specimens are generally unacceptable for anaerobic culture:

• Bronchoscopic Washings
• Colostomy Material
• Environmental Material        
• Feces/Stool
• Gastric washings
• leostomy material (intraluminal)
• Mouth
• Nose
• Prostatic Secretions
• Skin
• Sputum
• Throat
• Urine: Clean Catch/Midstream
• Urine: Catheterized
• Vaginal Secretions

2. Current or recent antimicrobial therapy may adversely effect the recovery of certain pathogenic organisms.

3. Fluid or pus must be injected into a A.C.T II Dual, eSwab, syringe, red top.

4. Small pieces of tissue less than 1cm in size should be embedded into the media of a A.C.T II Dual, eSwab, syringe, red top.

5. Pieces of tissue larger than 1 cm may be submitted in a sealed, sterile container.

6. Specimens for anaerobic cultures must be transported anaerobically.

Anaerobic Culture Test Page