Culture, Aerobic Bacteria with Gram Stain
Use
Aerobic bacteria cause a variety of human infections. Proper specimen collection and transport, media and incubation are important criteria for the recovery of aerobes. The primary aerobic bacterial agents for skin and tissue infections include S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, members of the Enterobacteriaceae, and beta-hemolytic streptococci. The Gram stain is a critical test for the rapid, presumptive diagnosis of infectious agents and also serves to assess the quality of clinical specimens. The results of aerobic cultures assist the clinician with diagnosis and treatment of patients with bacterial infections. Proper interpretation of culture results is dependent on specimen source and known pathogenicity of the isolated organism.
Special Instructions
If submitting in syringe, remove needle, expel air, and recap syringe. Note: For deep wounds and surgical specimens or whenever anaerobic infection must be ruled out, see culture, aerobic and anaerobic with gram stain.
Limitations
Not provided.
Methodology
Culture-based
Biomarkers
Result Turnaround Time
2 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Other
Volume
Not provided
Minimum Volume
One transport swab
Container
Transport swab or sterile, leak‑proof container or capped syringe
Collection Instructions
Wounds, abscess, aspirates or drainage collected in Amies liquid transport swab, Amies gel transport swab, Amies liquid elution swab ESwab™ or equivalent or submit in a sterile, leak‑proof container or capped syringe
Causes for Rejection
Dry swabs • Nails • Molecular transport systems • Post‑mortem specimens • Skin scrapings • Specimens submitted in formalin • Swabs of oral specimens (ex. gums, teeth) • Wooden‑shafted, cotton tipped swabs • Calcium alginate swabs
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 48 hours |
| Refrigerated | 48 hours |
| Frozen | Unacceptable |
Other tests from different labs that may be relevant