Specimen Requirements

Whenever possible, culture specimens should be obtained before antibiotics or antimicrobial agents have been administered.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen Type:  Bacterial culture swab (mini-tip swab recommended), 
Liquid Amies Elution Swab (ESwab) Copan 481C

Container/Tube:  Liquid Amies Elution Swab (ESwab) Copan 481C

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions: 

1. Calcium alginate, cotton, non-sterile, or wooden-shafted swab is not acceptable.

2. Specimen source is required.

3. Dry swab is not acceptable.

Additional Information:

1. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and source/type of specimen.

2. Specimen source is required.

3. Do not refrigerate.

4. If there is a delay in transport of >48 hours, process specimen as follows:

a. Inoculate and streak to appropriate agar medium and make a direct smear.

b. Blood agar plate (BAP), CNA, and chocolate (CHOC) agar plates should be incubated in Bio-Bag type C. MAC plate should be in regular air.

c. Incubate all plates at 33° C to 37° C.

d. Transport to the laboratory within 72 hours.

5. Culture swabs maintain viability of many microorganisms for 24 to 48 hours. For fastidious bacteria (such as Neisseria species, Haemophilus species, and Streptococcus pneumoniae) swab specimens should be plated directly onto culture media or transported immediately to the laboratory and cultured within 24 hours.

Specimen Type: Tissue, corneal scrapings, contact lens

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions: 

1. Aseptic collection by physician

2. Moisten tissue with a small amount of sterile saline to prevent drying.

Additional Information:

1. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and source/type of specimen.

2. Specimen source is required.

3. Do not refrigerate.

4. If there is a delay in transport of >48 hours, process specimen as follows:

a. Inoculate and streak to appropriate agar medium and make a direct smear.

b. Blood agar plate (BAP), CNA, and chocolate (CHOC) agar plates should be incubated in Bio-Bag type C. MAC plate should be in regular air.

c. Incubate all plates at 33° C to 37° C.

d. Transport to the laboratory within 72 hours.

5. Culture swabs maintain viability of many microorganisms for 24 to 48 hours. For fastidious bacteria (such as Neisseria species, Haemophilus species, and Streptococcus pneumoniae) swab specimens should be plated directly onto culture media or transported immediately to the laboratory and cultured within 24 hours.

Specimen Type: Eye, vitrious fluid

Container/Tube: Sterile container or syringe with needle removed

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions: 

1. Aseptic collection by physician

Additional Information:

1. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and source/type of specimen.

2. Specimen source is required.

3. Do not refrigerate.

4. If there is a delay in transport of >48 hours, process specimen as follows:

a. Inoculate and streak to appropriate agar medium and make a direct smear.

b. Blood agar plate (BAP), CNA, and chocolate (CHOC) agar plates should be incubated in Bio-Bag type C. MAC plate should be in regular air.

c. Incubate all plates at 33° C to 37° C.

d. Transport to the laboratory within 72 hours.

5. Culture swabs maintain viability of many microorganisms for 24 to 48 hours. For fastidious bacteria (such as Neisseria species, Haemophilus species, and Streptococcus pneumoniae) swab specimens should be plated directly onto culture media or transported immediately to the laboratory and cultured within 24 hours.