Specimen Requirements

For quality results, send tissue or whole fluids for culture,
not swab. If unable to obtain tissue or fluid, collect
the specimen using an Eswab.

Causes for Rejection:  Refrigerated
specimen, specimen exceeding transport time, and/or
inappropriate source.    The following sources
are inappropriate for anaerobic culture:  Bronchial washings,
BAL, protected brush, endotracheal secretions, feces,
gastric/intestinal contents, ileostomy/colostomy drainage, mouth,
nares, nasopharyngeal, rectal abscess, perirectal abscess, placenta
(vaginal delivery), vaginal, semen, sputum, throat, and urethral. 

Specimen source, patient’s age, clinical
diagnosis, time of collection, and any unusual pathogens
suspected are required.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred

Specimen Type: Fresh biopsy tissue

Container/Tube: Screw-capped, sterile
container

Specimen Volume: Entire collection

Collection Instructions: Label container with
patient’s full name, date of birth, date and time of
collection, and source of specimen.

Specimen Type: Abscess or sterile body
fluid

Container/Tube: Capped syringe with all
air bubbles expelled, Port-A-Cul vial or sterile container

Specimen Volume: Entire collection

Collection Instructions:

1. Aseptically collect needle aspirate of
specimen.

2. Label syringe/vial with patient’s full name, date
of birth, date and time of collection, and source of specimen.

Alternate

Specimen Type: Swab

Container/Tube: Eswab

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Aseptically collect specimen.

2. Place swab in culture transport tube to ensure specimen
preservation.

3. Label tube with patient’s full name, date of birth,
date and time of collection, and source of specimen.