In addition to direct agar culture, an enrichment broth is also inoculated, to aid in the isolation of organisms which may be present in low numbers.
Gram stains and cell counts are performed on certain tissue and fluid samples.
Gram stain
Abdominal
Abscess
Aqueous fluid
Amniotic fluid
Bone / tissue with bone (non-prosthetic)
Biospy
Brain
Corneal scrapes
Joint fluid (+ crystals)
Liver
Mastoid cavity
Pus
Tissue
Vitreous fluid
Cell count
Ascites
CAPD
Additional testing can include culture for Mycobacteria, Fungi, Nocardia and Brucella
Please discuss with the Microbiology medical staff
Sample type
Abscesses
Animal / human bite
Aqueous / vitreous fluid
Ascitic fluids - see Ascitic Fluid
Amniotic fluid aspirates
Haematoma
Bile / pancreatic drain
Biopsy - see Biopsies
Bone (if prosthetic device related - see Sterile Sites)
Brain tissue
CAPD fluid - see Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) Fluid
Cyst fluid (including ovarian)
Ear swabs from mastoid cavity
Fluids
Intrauterine coil device
Joint / synovial / bursa fluid
Lymph node
Peritoneal fluid / swab
Pus
Quinsy
Tissue samples
Vesicle fluid
Wound swabs – postoperative / surgical wounds (inpatient only), for other wound types see Surface Swabs
* Gastric aspirates are not processed (except for TB)
Specimen requirements
Tissue, fluid and pus are preferred to a swab; where possible they should be taken before commencing antimicrobial therapy
Tissues and fluids should be sent in a sterile universal container
Swabs for bacterial culture should be sent in ∑-TRANSWAB® (MWE) (purple top tube)
State anatomical site of lesion and if collected at operation
Minimum volume
Fluid samples - 0.5ml
Frequency of test
Daily
Turnaround time
Gram result - within 24 hours of receipt
Culture - 8 days
What to request on EPR
Pus / deep wound / fluid / abscess / biopsy / scrape / aspirate / valve MCS
