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Microbiology

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Joint Aspirates

All joint aspirates will have a culture and gram stain; adult joint aspirates will also be examined for crystals, to aid the diagnosis of gout or pseudogout.

Please make clear if there is a prosthetic joint in situ; these samples will be treated differently and have an extended incubation.

BioFire FilmArray® multiplex PCR is available for native joint fluid samples where there is a high index of suspicion of septic arthritis. Please contact us to discuss.

For more information please visit:

BioFire® Joint Infection (JI) Panel - BioFire Diagnostics

If you are sending a joint aspirate that is urgent, please contact us before sending.

Sample type

Joint aspirate

Specimen requirements

Use aseptic technique and send in a sterile universal container

Minimum volume

0.5ml

Frequency of test

Daily

Turnaround time

6 days

Up to 10 days if prosthetic joint in situ

What to request on EPR

Pus / deep wound / fluid / abscess / biopsy / scrape / aspirate / valve MCS - > specimen type - joint fluid

Prosthetic / metal work MCS

Last reviewed:11 May 2023

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