Bacterial Culture, Anaerobic
Use
Diagnosing anaerobic bacterial infections. Anaerobic bacteria form the biggest part of the body’s normal bacterial flora colonizing the skin, oral cavity, and genitourinary and lower gastrointestinal tracts. They generally do not cause infection and are crucial for nutrient absorption and in preventing pathogenic bacterial infections. However, when skin and mucosal barriers are breached, these microorganisms can become pathogenic, causing various infections including periodontitis, abdominal or pelvic abscesses, pelvic inflammatory disease, aspiration pneumonia, lung abscesses, and other soft tissue infections.
Special Instructions
Specimen source is a required detail when submitting samples. Specimen should be collected using a needle and syringe from a source not typically colonized by anaerobes, ensuring no contamination with normal flora. Specimens must be transported in anaerobic transport vials. Ship the specimen within 72 hours of collection.
Limitations
Specimen collection must be accurate to avoid contamination with normal-flora anaerobes, which would complicate culture result interpretation. Anaerobic bacteria may possess virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance, notably producing beta-lactamases. Susceptibility testing assists clinicians as these bacteria can show resistance to commonly used antimicrobials, increasing the relevance of specific testing outcomes.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Culture-based
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 635-3
- 635-3
Result Turnaround Time
14-20 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Other
Volume
Not provided
Minimum Volume
Not provided
Container
Anaerobe Transport Tube (T588)
Collection Instructions
Specimen types: deep tissues, sterile body fluids, abscesses, percutaneous transtracheal aspirates, suprapubic aspirations, or wounds. Use a needle and syringe from a non-normally colonized source by anaerobes.
Storage Instructions
Ship within 72 hours
Causes for Rejection
Swab
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 72 hours |