Specimen Requirements

Aerobic
Isolate infecting bacteria. Bacteria should be in pure culture, actively growing. (Agar plate is not acceptable.) Label container with patient’s information, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen. Place specimen in a proper mailing container, and label as an etiologic agent. Seal media with waterproof tape to insure no leakage will occur. Forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Note:  1. Specimens for identification should be shipped at ambient temperature.
2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Anaerobic
Acceptable sources normally are abscesses, percutaneous transtracheal aspirates, sterile body fluids, suprapubic aspirations, or wounds.

Pure culture of organism from a source not normally colonized by anaerobes. (Agar plate is not acceptable.) Label container with patient’s information, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen. Use anaerobic transport vial, thioglycollate broth, or any other suitable anaerobic transport system, and label as an etiologic agent. Seal media with waterproof tape to insure no leakage will occur. Forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Note:  1. Specimens for identification should be shipped at ambient temperature.
2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.