Culture Anaerobic Bacteria

Culture for bacteria that grow anaerobically
Note: Aerobic bacterial cultures must be ordered separately Note: Anaerobic organism antibiotic susceptibility testing is not routinely performed. Contact the laboratory if testing is necessary for patient care.

Specimen Type: Varies
Specimen Types: Deep tissues, sterile body fluids, abscesses, percutaneous transtracheal aspirates, suprapubic aspirations, or wounds
Collection Container: E-Swab (liquid Amies medium), Sterile container, Capped syringe (with air removed), Anaerobe transport device (Remel ACT transport media or BD port-a-cul vial).
Specimen Volume: Entire collection

1 mL body fluid
Pea-size amount of tissue

•When submitting anaerobic cultures it is important to prevent prolonged exposure of the sample to air. The following are acceptable means of anaerobic sample transport:
•Large volumes of fluid/tissue (>2ml) sent immediately to the laboratory: Submit in a capped syringe (express air from syringe, remove needle, and recap with syringe cap) or a sterile container (to prevent drying of tissue add 1-2ml non-bacteriostatic 0.85% NaCl).
•Small volumes of fluids/tissue (<2ml) or delayed transport to the laboratory: An anaerobic transport medium is recommended. Options include:
Remel ACT Transport Media- Fluid specimens: Disinfect rubber stopper. After collecting specimen, push the needle through the rubber stopper and slowly inject specimen on top of agar. Carefully remove the needle and syringe.
BD Port-A-Cul Transport Jars – Tissue and Biopsy specimens: Obtain specimen, loosen screw cap, insert specimen into medium, press into the medium to within approximately 5 mm from bottom, quickly replace and tighten cap.
BD Port-A-Cul Vials- Fluid specimens: Remove green flip cap exposing the rubber stopper. Swab the rubber stopper with disinfectant. Expel air from syringe and needle. Obtain specimen, push needle through stopper and slowly inject on surface of agar.
•Swab Specimen: Collect with ESwab with Liquid Amies Medium.

A Final Negative report is issued after 4-5 days. Time to result for a positive report depends on the extent of workup performed.

Anaerobic cultures will not be accepted for samples where anaerobes are found as normal flora (ex. skin surface, sputum, throat, vaginal/cervical, rectal, voided/cath urine). Full Identification of anaerobic organisms will only take place if the organism is isolated in pure culture or with a limited number of additional potential pathogens. If Propionibacterium acnes or Actinomyces are suspected please request for the laboratory to hold cultures for an extended period of time. Due to the fastidious growth requirements of anaerobes, immediate transportation to the laboratory is recommended. If delay is expected, utilization of an anaerobic transportation tube/jar or anaerobic swabs (ESwab with Liquid Amies Medium acceptable)will enhance recovery.