R/O Actinomyces Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity
General Information
Lab Name
r/o Actinomyces culture
Lab Code
ACTINC
Epic Name
Actinomyces Culture
Description
Test is for rule out anaerobic Actinomyces only. If full bacterial or fungal cultures are also needed, order additional separate cultures appropriate for specimen source.
Synonyms
Abscess Anaerobic Culture, Anaerobic Wound Culture, Wound Anaerobic Culture
Components
| Code | Name |
|---|---|
| SDES | Specimen Description |
| SREQ | Special Requests |
| CULT | Culture |
| RPT | Report Status |
Interpretation
Method
Conventional culture techniques.
Cultures are examined after 48 hours of anaerobic incubation and thereafter (maximum of 14 days) for the presence of organisms that have characteristic colonial and Gram-stain morphologies. Definitive identification is made using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry or 16S rRNA sequencing.
Reference Range
See individual components
Ordering & Collection
Specimen Type
Collection
Abscess fluid/aspirate: Remove surface exudate. Collect fluid in syringe, expel air, remove needle and replace with Luer tip cap. Transtracheal aspirate: collect specimen avoiding upper respiratory mucosa.
Tissue/biopsy: Surgical specimen in sterile container.
Swab (less optimal): Preferred method of transport is ESwab. Gel swab is acceptable.
UW-MT and UW-NW only: BAL also acceptable.
Specimens will be rejected if received >24 hours after collection. Viability of organisms is significantly reduced after 24 hours.
Unacceptable: Refrigerated or frozen samples; specimens collected in Universal Transport Medium (UTM); specimens collected with expired swabs/transport media.
Handling Instructions
Send to lab within 2 hours. To reduce oxygen exposure, collect in syringe not cup. Remove needle, expel air from syringe and cap. If a swab MUST be used, transport to lab immediately. Specify exact source. Transport at room temperature as cold temperature reduces the viability of anaerobes.
Quantity
requested: Fluid/aspirate or BAL: >1 mL; Biopsy: 0.5-1 cm diameter tissue; Swab in transport media
minimum: Fluid/aspirate or BAL: 1 mL; Biopsy: 0.2 cm diameter tissue; Swab in transport media
Processing
Specimens are inoculated onto anaerobic media, and incubated under anaerobic conditions.
Performance
LIS Dept Code
Microbiology (MC)
Performing Location(s)
| HMC |
Microbiology
206-744-5858 325 9th Ave, Rm # GWH-47, Seattle, WA 98104-2420 |
|
|---|---|---|
| UW-MT |
Microbiology
206-520-4600 Clinical Lab, Room # NW177, |
Other Locations/Notes
UW-MT Microbiology performs testing for UW-MT and UW-NW.
Frequency
Processed upon receipt
Available STAT?
No