Body Fluid Culture: Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacterial Culture
Also known as: Culture, Body Fluid, Sterile, Routine, Sterile Body Fluid Culture
Use
Isolate and identify pathogenic organisms from normally sterile body fluids. Anaerobic culture is held for 14 days.
Special Instructions
Indicate the specific source and pertinent clinical history on the request form. Do not use expired transport device. Contamination with normal flora from skin, rectum, vaginal tract, or other body surfaces should be avoided. Proper antisepsis is necessary before specimen collection to prevent contamination.
Limitations
This test may not detect pathogens in cases where the organisms are present in low quantity, or in cases where the fluid is contaminated with normal flora. Improper collection or transport may result in false negatives. The use of inappropriate containers, such as red-top Vacutainer tubes, or swabs without visible fluid can lead to specimen rejection. Testing schedules may vary; additional time may be needed for confirmatory tests or antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Methodology
Culture-based
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 183474
- 635-3
- 611-4
Result Turnaround Time
14-17 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Body Fluid
Volume
2 mL
Minimum Volume
2 mL
Container
Sterile tube or other sterile leak-proof container, blood culture bottle, Vacutainer™ Plus no Additive tube; sodium heparin tube, and swabs with visible fluid. Do not use red-top Vacutainer™ tubes.
Collection Instructions
Ensure specimen is aseptically aspirated. Swabs without visible fluid are not acceptable. Contamination with normal flora should be avoided.
Patient Preparation
Swab skin over the site of puncture with 2% tincture of iodine in concentric circles, ensuring iodine contact for at least one minute prior to puncture.
Storage Instructions
Maintain specimen at room temperature. Specimens for anaerobic culture should be maintained at room temperature. Anaerobes will survive 24 to 72 hours when properly collected in the anaerobic transport tube.
Causes for Rejection
Improper labeling; red-top Vacutainer™ tubes; swabs without visible fluid
Other tests from different labs that may be relevant