Anaerobic and Aerobic Culture and Gram Stain

Also known as: Anaerobic Culture, Abscess, Anaerobic Culture, Body Fluid, Anaerobic Culture, Wound, Culture, Anaerobic, Wound Anaerobic Culture

Clinical Use

Order Test

Use

Isolate and identify anaerobic pathogenic organisms; determine susceptibility of isolates (extra charge). When actinomycetes are suspected a specific request must be made. Anaerobic cultures are indicated particularly when suspected infections are related to gastrointestinal tract, pelvic organs, associated with malignancy, related to use of aminoglycosides; or occur in a setting in which the diagnosis of gas gangrene or actinomycosis is considered. Anaerobic culture is especially indicated when an exudate has a foul odor or if the exudate has a grayish discoloration and is hemorrhagic. Frequently, more than one organism is recovered from an anaerobic infection.

Special Instructions

Not provided.

Limitations

Anaerobic cultures are applicable primarily for blood, pleural fluid, and specific aspirates due to established validity. Blood cultures are only positive in less than 5% of anaerobic pulmonary infections. Specimens in anaerobic transport are suboptimal for aerobic fungus cultures. Extended incubation or specific media are needed for Mycobacterium or Nocardia. Specimens from endogenous anaerobic flora sites (e.g., throat, genital swabs) are unsuitable for anaerobic culture. Bronchoscopically obtained specimens can be misleading due to contamination with organisms from the oropharynx.

Test Details

Methodology

Culture-based

Biomarkers

2 components

Anaerobic and Aerobic CultureGram Stain

LOINC Codes

Result Codes

635-3 - Bacteria Spec Anaerobe Cult
634-6 - Bacteria Spec Aerobe Cult
664-3 - Gram Stn Spec

Result Turnaround Time

4-7 days

Specimen

Other

Volume

Not provided

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Container

Aerobic/anaerobic bacterial swab transport containing gel medium or anaerobic transporter and one prepared smear in slide carrier; ESwab™ transport

Collection Instructions

Pus or fluid should be obtained via needle aspiration from sterilized skin/mucosal surfaces. Use a sterile plastic catheter for aspirating open lesions. Swab specimens using anaerobic transport media immediately.

Patient Preparation

Sterile preparation of the aspiration site is imperative.

Storage Instructions

Specimens should be maintained at room temperature. ESwab™ transport not recommended for more than 48 hours due to viability loss.

Causes for Rejection

Specimens from sites that have anaerobic bacteria as indigenous flora will not be cultured anaerobically. Unlabeled or name-discrepant specimens, inappropriate transport tubes, oxygen-exposed swabs, prolonged transport delay.