Culture and Gram Stain, Aerobic, Body Fluid

Gram Stain and Aerobic Culture of Normally Sterile Body
Fluids

Note: If Anaerobic or other culture is required it must be ordered
separately

•Sterile Container (no additives) •Capped Syringe
•ESwab with Liquid Amies Medium (swab is least preferred
specimen). Do not place fluids in swab containers.

• Synovial

• Pleural

• Peritoneal

• Pericardial

• Amniotic

• Subdural

• Bile

Note: This culture is intended for normally sterile body fluids
only. Other fluids/drainages should be ordered under Wound culture
*Minimum volume 0.5ml

Thoroughly cleanse and disinfect the needle puncture site.
Collect by percutaneous aspiration or surgery following standard
protocols. Send fluid to the laboratory in a capped syringe (needle
must be removed) or a sterile container. Swab dipped in fluid are
poor specimens, as swabs pick up a very small volume of sample
material and the sensitivity for detection of microorganisms will
be decreased.

Negative report at 3-7 days. Synovial fluid cultures are held
for 7 days before finalizing as negative. Positive report depends
on extent of culture workup