Test Code GEN Bacterial Culture, Aerobic, Varies
Ordering Guidance
If susceptibilities are also desired, order GENS / Bacterial Culture, Aerobic with Antimicrobial Susceptibilities, Varies.
Shipping Instructions
Specimen must be received in laboratory within 24 hours of collection.
Necessary Information
Specimen source is required: include the specific anatomic source. Indicate whether it is a "surface" or "deep/surgical" specimen. Do not label only as "wound."
Specimen Required
Preferred:
Specimen Type: Closed abscess; Deep tissue or fluid
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Entire collection
Collection Instructions: Aspirate the abscess contents with a syringe or excise a portion of tissue.
Acceptable:
Supplies:
Culturette (BBL Culture Swab) (T092)
BD E-Swab (T853)
Specimen Type: Open abscess, swab, tissue, or fluid
Sources: Abscess, aspirate, lesion, or wound
Container/Tube: Sterile container, culture transport swab (Dacron or rayon swab with aluminum or plastic shaft with either Stuart or Amies liquid medium), or ESwab
Collection Instructions: For most open lesions and abscesses, remove superficial flora by decontaminating skin before collecting a specimen from advancing margin or base.
Additional Information:
1. If submitting a specimen from a source contaminated with usual flora, send at refrigerated temperature.
2. Refrigerated specimens are not suitable for isolation of Neisseria species.
Useful For
Detecting bacteria responsible for infections of sterile body fluids, tissues, or wounds
This test is not intended for medicolegal use.
Reflex Tests
Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
---|---|---|---|
COMM | Identification Commercial Kit | No, (Bill Only) | No |
RMALD | Ident by MALDI-TOF mass spec | No, (Bill Only) | No |
GID | Bacteria Identification | No, (Bill Only) | No |
ISAE | Aerobe Ident by Sequencing | No, (Bill Only) | No |
REFID | Additional Identification Procedure | No, (Bill Only) | No |
SALS | Serologic Agglut Method 1 Ident | No, (Bill Only) | No |
EC | Serologic Agglut Method 2 Ident | No, (Bill Only) | No |
SHIG | Serologic Agglut Method 3 Ident | No, (Bill Only) | No |
STAP | Identification Staphylococcus | No, (Bill Only) | No |
STRP | Identification Streptococcus | No, (Bill Only) | No |
TISSR | Tissue Processing | No, (Bill Only) | No |
SIDC | Ident Serologic Agglut Method 4 | No, (Bill Only) | No |
PCRID | Identification by PCR | No, (Bill Only) | No |
HPCR1 | H pylori + Clarithro Resistance PCR | No, (Bill Only) | No |
Testing Algorithm
When this test is ordered, the reflex tests may be performed at an additional charge.
Method Name
Conventional Culture Technique
Reporting Name
Bacterial Culture, AerobicSpecimen Type
VariesSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Varies | Ambient (preferred) | 24 hours |
Refrigerated | 24 hours |
Reject Due To
Dry swab; | Reject |
Reference Values
No growth or usual flora
Identification of probable pathogens
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
5 to 14 daysPerforming Laboratory

Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
87070-Bacterial, Culture, Aerobic
87077-Identification commercial kit (if appropriate)
87077-Ident by MALDI-TOF mass spec (if appropriate)
87077-Bacteria identification (if appropriate)
87077-Additional identification procedure (if appropriate)
87077-Identification Staphylococcus (if appropriate)
87077-Identification Streptococcus (if appropriate)
87147 x 1-3-Serologic agglut method 1 ident (if appropriate)
87147-Serologic agglut method 2 ident (if appropriate)
87147 x 4-Serologic agglut method 3 ident (if appropriate)
87147 x 2-6 - Serologic Agglut Method 4 Ident (if appropriate)
87153-Aerobe ident by sequencing (if appropriate)
87176-Tissue processing (if appropriate)
87150-Identification by PCR (if appropriate)
87150-H pylori + Clarithro Resistance PCR (if appropriate)
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
GEN | Bacterial Culture, Aerobic | 634-6 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
GEN | Bacterial Culture, Aerobic | 634-6 |