| Synonym(s): |
Aerobe, culture |
| Requisition Form |
G-2B. |
| Test Description |
Aerobic isolation from clinical specimens. |
| Pre-Approval Needed |
N/A |
| Supplemental Information Required |
N/A |
| Supplemental Form(s) |
N/A |
| Performed on Specimens from (sources) |
Human |
| Sample/Specimen Type for Testing |
- Blood or blood culture bottles
- CSF
- Tissues
- Lymph nodes
- Autopsy specimens
- Sputum (only for Legionella)
|
| Minimum Volume/Size Required |
- Blood: tiger-top tube, red-top tube, or blood culture bottle
- CSF: ≥1 mL
|
| Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping |
CSF:
- Must be shipped in sterile container.
- Maintained at room temperature.
- Must be received by laboratory within 24 hours of collection.
Lymph node or lymph node aspirate:
- Must be shipped in sterile container.
- Shipped on cold pack.
Bronchial washes or lavages:
- Must be shipped in sterile container.
- Shipped on cold pack.
Autopsy specimens:
- Must be received by laboratory within 24 hours of collection.
|
| Transport Medium |
Autopsy swab specimens may be collected and stored in Amies or Stuarts Transport
|
| Specimen Labeling |
- Two patient-specific identifiers required (e.g., patient full name, date of birth, medical record number
- Identifiers on specimen must exactly match submission form.
|
| Shipping and Specimen Handling Requirements |
- Ship according to Dangerous Good Regulations, IATA, and/or CFR 49.
|
| Method |
Bacterial culture |
| Turn-around Time |
7-21 days. |
| Interferences/Limitations |
- Material must be viable. Improper storage or shipping temperatures limit organism recovery.
- In the event of an outbreak, the procedure may be modified to screen for an additional set of organisms.
- Where a specific agent of an outbreak has been previously identified and there is a backlog of specimens, the procedure may be modified to screen only for specified organisms.
|
| Common Causes for Rejection |
- Insufficient quantity
- Unacceptable specimen type or source
- Improper shipping conditions
- Expired media or collection container
- Discrepancies between specimen label and submission form
- Incomplete or missing submission form.
|
| Additional Information |
N/A |