Culture, Anaerobic

Culture, Anaerobic

Epic Mnemonic
Sunquest Mnemonic

LAB233
ANER

Category

Microbiology

Methodology

Bacterial culture

Container

Anaerobic Transport Container Note: Specimen must be placed in anaerobic transport immediately after collection

Volume

Pref./Min. Vol. Fluid: 1 mL in anaerobic transport tube
Pref./Min. Vol. Tissue: 1 gram in anaerobic transport tube

Collection Instructions

Note: Swabs are NOT recommended for specimen submission

When to collect: Before initiation of antimicrobial therapy if possible

For specific collection by site, see "Remarks" section

General Considerations:
a. Needle aspirates are the best specimen for anaerobic culture
b. Fluid,Tissue samples and biopsy samples are also very good
c. Swab specimen are the least desirable specimen for anaerobic culture and can provide inaccurate results.
4. Place specimen into anaerobic transport device immediately after collection to ensure specimen integrity

Fluid:
a. Obtain Anaerobic transport device for fluids
b. Clean the rubber septum of the glass collection tube with 70% alcohol and allow to air dry
c. Inject syringe needle directly into the septum and inoculate fluid directly into the tube. Avoid introducing oxygen.

Tissue:
a. Obtain Anaerobic transport device.
b. Open cap on the transport device. Hold device upright so that anaerobic gases do not dissipate.
c. Aseptically place a piece of tissue on the surface of the semisolid medium; inserting the tissue into the gel is not necessary.
d. Immediately recap tube tightly. Minimize the length of time that the cap is off the specimen.

Swabs:
a. Open cap on anaerobic transport device. Hold device upright so that anaerobic gases do not dissipate.
b. Aseptically place swab into the tube below the surface of the gel or liquid medium
c. Recap tube tightly. Minimize the length of time that the cap is off the specimen.
d. NOTE: Swab specimens are sub-optimal for anaerobic culture and the final culture report will have a disclaimer statement reflecting this.

Culture Collection Guide

Transportation Instructions

• Room Temperature
• Media maintains organisms up to 24 hours after inoculation

Causes for Rejection

• Specimens not transferred to anaerobic media
• Specimens from site with known indigenous anaerobic flora
• Swabs, although not necessarily rejected, are less reliable for anaerobic recovery
• Contamination with oxygen may be a cause for result qualification

Remarks

Female genital tract:
• Disinfect the cervical opening by swabbing it with providone-iodine
• Sample the upper genital tract by using a double-lumen collector and self-contained transport system (Pipelle). The Pipelle system obtains cellular material from the uterine wall by section
• Specimens collected by laparoscopy, culdocentesis, or surgery are appropriate for anaerobic culture
• Culture intrauterine devices anaerobically for Actinomyces species or Eubacterium nodatum
• Minimize length of time that cap is off specimen
• Do not submit specimen in syringe with needle

Large Bowel:
• Only for toxin assay for suspected involvement of Clostridium difficile or Clostridium botulinum, anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducents, and other etiologic agents

Urinary Tract:
• Obtain material via supra pubic bladder tap

CPT Codes

87075

Effective/Revised

7/14/17