Stability

Days Performed

Mon - Fri

Turnaround Time

5 - 10 days

Methodology

Reference Range

Special Info

Aerobic culture and gram stain requires a separate order (e.g. WCUL, TISCUL, CSFCUL). Submit tissue or aspirates. Swabs are suboptimal and will be rejected, unless collected using the eSwab collection and transport system. A sterile container may be used for tissue if transported to the microbiology lab immediately (add 5 drops of sterile saline to keep small pieces of tissue moist). Fluid collections should be aspirated through disinfected tissue or skin. Anaerobic cultures are routinely held 5 days. If culture is positive, identification will be performed on clinically significant organisms at an additional charge. Antimicrobial susceptibilities are performed on pure culture isolates in significant quantity or upon request.

Clinical Info

Specimens from mucosal surfaces which have anaerobic bacteria as normal flora should not be submitted for anaerobic culture. These specimens will routinely be rejected: throat or nasopharyngeal swabs, oral surface swabs, sputum, tracheal aspirates, bronchial washings, voided or catheterized urine, gastric and small bowel contents, feces, rectal swabs, cervical or vaginal swabs. Tissue specimens are preferred, and the only swab collection device that is acceptable for anaerobic culture is the eSwab collection and transport system.