Specimen Requirements Printable Version

{ Tests Explained Printable Version }

MICROBIOLOGY TESTS EXPLAINED

BLOOD CULTURE

Bacteria circulating is the blood may be detected by Blood Culture. Blood is drawn in special blood culture tubes specifically made for both Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacterial culture. Fungal blood culture is available as well by special request.  For the most accurate results, a total of 4 bottles is drawn (2 aerobic and 2 anaerobic). One set of bottles (1 aerobic and 1 anaerobic bottle) is drawn from one site and a second set is drawn from a different site. Draws should occur at different time intervals. We incubate the tubes and check every 24 hours. Preliminary results are reported to the provider every day. If any of the tubes show growth, the provider is notified immediately and subsequent isolation and identification is performed, during which, we test the antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated bacteria. The sensitivity panel to Antibiotic is specifically tailored for most common antibiotics available in the market for the provider to choose from. Results are reported as soon as they are available. We check the blood culture tubes every 24 hours and report findings up to the fifth day of culture. If on the fifth day all tubes remain negative, we report the final result as negative.    

Blood culture tube; Aerobic, Anaerobic and Fungal.

ROUTINE CULTURE AND SENSITIVITY

Bacterial infections can affect any part of the human body. Treatment may include systemic or topical antibiotics. The affected area is swabbed, bacterial culture and sensitivity identifies the causative organism and the most effective antibiotics for faster recovery.

We test a wide range of body fluids via AEROBIC culture and sensitivity. ANEAROBIC culture may be ordered as well

It includes, but not limited to:

• EYE CULTURE AND SENSITIVITY
• EAR CULTURE AND SENSITIVITY
• WOUND CULTURE AND SENSITIVITY
• THROAT CULTURE AND SENSITIVITY
• NASOPHARNIGEAL CULTURE AND SENSITIVITY

The affected site is swabbed by a special swab that supports both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. We streak the swab on special Petri dishes with media to be cultured under conditions specified by the ordering provider. If negative, results are reported as such. In case of bacterial colonies growth, further Isolation and Identification is performed, during which we test the antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated bacteria. Sensitivity panel to Antibiotic is specifically tailored for most common antibiotics available in the market for the provider to choose from.  

We test body fluids using an Aerobic/Anaerobic swab.

URINE CULTURE

Urinary Bladder infections are common and cause a wide range of symptoms ranging from discomfort, burning sensation, foul smell, urge to urinate, pain with urination, blood in urine, cloudy or dark urine. If left untreated, infection may cause kidney infection manifested by back pain, nausea, vomiting and fever.

• URINE CULTURE AND SENSITIVITY
• URINE CATHETER CULTURE AND SENSITIVITY

Patient/Nurse should clean genitalia, and collect MIDSTREAM urine, First catch urine may result in false positive cultures.

After a routine urine analysis, we streak the urine on special Perti Dish with special media and test for bacterial growth. If negative, results are reported as such. In case of bacterial colonies growth further Isolation and Identification is performed, during which we test the antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated bacteria. Sensitivity panel to Antibiotic is specifically tailored for most common antibiotics available in the market for the provider to choose from.

We test Urine collected in a sterile urine cup.