A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Culture, Eye
MessageIf chlamydia is desired order Chlamydia trachomatis, Occular, by Nucleic Acid Amplification or Chlamydiae Species Culture.
Test Code
C EYE - MM MMC
CPT Codes
87070, 87077 per organism (if appropriate), 87186 per organism (if appropriate),
Preferred Specimen
Specimen Source is required.
For multiple specimens, place separate orders for each specimen.
- Eye Scrapings in a screw-capped, sterile container.
- Cleanse skin around eye with mild antiseptic. Gently remove makeup and ointment with sterile cotton and saline. Scrapings should be done by a physician using a sterile platinum spatula. Rinse scrapings with 1 mL to 2 mL of sterile liquid transport medium and place in sterile container. Label container (not lid) with two patient identifiers (full name, DOB or MR), specimen source, and date and time of collection. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
- Eye eSwab
- Collection Instructions: Cleanse skin around eye with mild antiseptic. Gently remove makeup and ointment with sterile cotton and saline. Collect the specimen by swabbing. Pass moistened swab 2 times over lower inferior tarsal conjunctival fornix. Avoid eyelid border and lashes. Return swab to included sterile tube. Label container with two patient identifiers (full name, DOB or MR), specimen source, and date and time of collection. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Specimen Stability
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | |||
Eye scraping or eSwab | Ambient | 24 hour* | |||
*If GC is suspected, specimen must arrive within 6 hours
Methodology
Conventional Culture Media
Note: Every organism identified by a commercial kit must be billed for bacterial identification. Any organism that requires susceptibility testing will be charged for a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC).
Setup Schedule
Monday through Sunday; Continuously
Report Available
2 - 3 days
Reference Range
No growth in 2 days. Normal flora may be present.
Clinical Significance
The significance of any isolate(s), in pure or mixed culture, must be assessed with respect to the source cultured, the organism's pathogenic potential, the possibility of colonization versus infection, and the number of other organisms recovered from the same culture.
Performing Laboratory
McKee Medical Center - Microbiology/Molecular Laboratory