| 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, Anaerobic with Gram Stain, Joint Fluid
Test Code37008
Preferred Specimen
3 mL or 3 grams joint fluid/tissue collected in an anaerobic transport gel vial for fluid and tissue specimens or anaerobic transport swab with Amies gel (blue-cap) or ESwab (white-cap)
Minimum Volume
1 mL or 1 gram
Instructions
Tissues and fluids are superior to a swab specimen. If swabs must be used, collect 2 anaerobic transport swabs, one for culture and one for gram stain OR one ESwab (white-cap) for both culture and gram stain. Specimens not listed as acceptable may be processed for anaerobic culture only after consultation with a Quest Microbiology Scientific Director.
Do not submit syringe with needle attached. If submitting syringe, remove needle, expel air and cap syringe. Purulent sterile body fluids not submitted in an anaerobic transport tube may be accepted for culture if received within 8 hours of collection.
Do not submit syringe with needle attached. If submitting syringe, remove needle, expel air and cap syringe. Purulent sterile body fluids not submitted in an anaerobic transport tube may be accepted for culture if received within 8 hours of collection.
Transport Container
Anaerobic transport gel vial for fluid and tissue specimens • Anaerobic transport swab with Aimes gel (blue-cap) or ESwab (white-cap)
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Anaerobic transport media
Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
ESwab or Amies gel swab
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
ESwab or Amies gel swab
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Specimens not in an anaerobic transport medium • Expired transport media • Throat specimens • Nasopharyngeal specimens • Sputum or bronchoscopic specimens • Stool and rectal swabs • Urine-voided or catheter • Vaginal and cervical • Specimens from sites contaminated with intestinal contents • Superficial or fresh wounds • External ear • External eye • Intrauterine device • Tracheal aspirates
Methodology
Direct Microscopy • Bacterial Culture • Anaerobic Isolation and Identification Procedures • Phenotypic • Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight • Sequencing
Setup Schedule
Day shift Daily
Report Available
16 days
Clinical Significance
Anaerobic bacteria cause a variety of human infections. The results of anaerobic cultures assist the clinician with diagnosis and treatment of patients with anaerobic infections. This culture is incubated for a total of 14 days to allow for low organism level and slow growing organisms, especially significant with joint infections.
Performing Laboratory
| Quest Diagnostics-Seattle |
| 1737 Airport Way S Suite 200 |
| Seattle, WA 98134-1636 |
Last Updated: November 6, 2024
