Biopsy Culture, Aerobic and Anaerobic Synonyms Culture, Biopsy

Applies to Aerobic/Anaerobic Culture; Cyst Culture, Anaerobic; Surgical Specimen Anaerobic Culture; Tissue Anaerobic Culture; Transtracheal Aspirate Anaerobic Culture

Test Includes Isolation and identification of aerobic and anaerobic organisms; susceptibility testing is performed if appropriate.

Laboratory Clinical Microbiology, BHS-03-312

Request Form Microbiology

Phone (212) 305-6276

Availability Daily, 24 hours

Turnaround Time 6 days

Special Instructions The following information must be provided to the laboratory for the proper processing of the specimen: specific site of specimen, current antibiotic therapy, age and sex of patient, collection time and date, physician's name and pager number, and clinical diagnosis.

Specimen Abscess, portions of organs (ie, appendix, gallbladder, etc), biopsies, bone chips, wound, nodes

Volume 10 mL or small piece of tissue from biopsy site

Minimum Volume 0.5 mL

Container Anaerobic transport system/tissue in small amount of saline

Collection Specimens are to be collected from a prepared site using sterile technique. Contamination with normal flora from skin, rectum, vagina, or other body surfaces must be avoided.

Storage Instructions Transport specimen to the laboratory within 30 minutes. Do not refrigerate.

Patient Preparation Sterile preparation of the biopsy site

Causes for Rejection Specimen not received in appropriate transport container or sterile container, specimen in fixative. Specimens delayed in transport to the laboratory and specimens which have been refrigerated have a less than optimal yield. Specimens from sites which have anaerobic bacteria as normal flora (eg, throat, rectal swabs, bronchial washes, cervical-vaginal mucosal swabs, sputums) may not be acceptable for anaerobic culture because of contamination by the normal flora. If an unacceptable specimen is received, the appropriate nursing station will be notified and another specimen will be requested before disposal of the specimen.

Reference Range No growth or commensal flora (wounds)

Use 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 where 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.

Methodology Gram's stain, culture, identification, and antibiotic susceptibility testing when indicated