Test Code CXANA Culture, Anaerobic

Performing Laboratory

Hunterdon Medical Center Laboratory

Telephone notification occurs if C. perfringens is identified.

Biochemical identification will be performed using the Vitek ANC Panel if requested or if isolated from a sterile body site.

Anaerobic bacteria will not be recovered in culture unless correctly collected and transported to the laboratory.

Note: Aerobic Culture of the same specimen must be collected at the same time.

Anaerobic Culture Specimens:

Specimen Type	Container
Fluid	Collect by needle and syringe. Remove air bubbles, cap the syringe and send to the laboratory
Tissue/biopsy specimens	Place in a sterile container, sterile tube or Petri dish. A small amount of non-bacteriostatic saline may be added to prevent drying, if the tissue is small.
Swab:	Swab is the least desireable collection method. The volume of material is smaller and adherence of bacteria to the swab is problematic.
Swab -> Preferred	BBL™VACUTAINER™ Anaerobic Specimen Collector
Swab-> Acceptable	BBL™ or Copan Amies/Stuarts Gel Swab Transport, E-Swab

Ambient: Deliver within 30 min.

No anaerobes isolated.

The following culture types are not accepted for anaerobic culture:

1. Decubiti and other superficial sites.

2. Bronch washings, endotracheal or nasotracheal aspirations and other respiratory specimen types are not appropriate for anaerobic culture.

3. Urine- the only acceptable specimen is a suprapubic needle aspiration.

4. Vaginal and cervical specimens.

5. Bowel contents, ileostomy, colostomy, feces, etc.

Monday through Sunday

Conventional culture and Biochemical identification methods.