Culture, Aerobic and Anaerobic

Test Code

4446

CPT Codes
87070, 87075, 87205

Includes

Culture, Aerobic Bacteria and Culture, Anaerobic Bacteria with Gram Stain

If culture is positive, identification will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87076 and/or 87077 or 87140 or 87143 or 87147 or 87149). Antibiotic susceptibilities are only performed when appropriate (CPT code(s): 87181 or 87184 or 87185 or 87186).

Preferred Specimen

3 mL or 3 grams abscess, deep wound, tissue, normally sterile body fluids other than blood, bronchoscopic specimens obtained by the Double Lumen Brush technique, suprapubic urine aspirates obtained from bladder, nephrostomy tube or suprapubic catheterization, aspirated pus from deep wound or abscess or tympanocentesis fluid, genital specimens from these sites only: cul-de-sac aspiration, culdocentesis, percutaneous transfundal aspiration, fallopian tube, surgical specimens, exudates 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

Other Acceptable Specimens

(2 swabs) abscess or deep wound, normally sterile body fluids other than blood, bronchoscopic specimens obtained by the Double Lumen Brush technique, suprapubic urine aspirates obtained from bladder, nephrostomy tube or suprapubic catheterization, aspirated pus from deep wound or abscess or tympanocentesis fluid, genital specimens from these sites only: Cul-de-sac aspiration, culdocentesis-percutaneous transfundal aspiration, fallopian tube, surgical specimens, exudates collected in Amies gel (blue-cap) or ESwab (white-cap)

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 submit one anaerobic transport swab with one air dried smear 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.

Transport Container

Transport device(s) appropriate for aerobic and anaerobic culture, such as Anaerobic Transport Media or swab in Amies gel medium

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

ESwab or Amies gel swab
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

Anaerobic Transport Media
Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 72 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 • Specimens not collected by Double Lumen Brush technique • 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 • Aerobic and Anaerobic Isolation

Reference Range

No growth

Clinical Significance

Deep wound/abscess infections are often caused by a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics-Seattle

1737 Airport Way S Suite 200

Seattle, WA 98134-1636

Last Updated: November 6, 2024

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.