Specimen Guidelines Table of Contents | Mycobacteriology/Mycology home
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- Abscess General
- Abscess - Open
- Blood
- Bone Marrow aspirate
- Cellulitis, aspirate from area of
- CSF
- Eye - Exudate
- Eye - Corneal scrapings
- Feces
- Fistula (See Abscess)
- Fluids: abdominal, amniotic, ascites, bile, joint, paracentesis, pericardial, peritoneal, pleural, synovial, thoracentesis
- Gastric Wash or lavage for mycobacteria
- Endometrial tissue
- Vaginal Secretions
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Specimen type (reference): Abscess - General
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Collection guidelines: Remove surface exudate by wiping with sterile saline or 70% alcohol. Collect fluid abscess material with Luer tip syringe and/or remove tissue aseptically.
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Fluid abscess material should be submitted in a sterile leak-proof container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube. Tissue should be submitted in 2 to 3 ml sterile saline in a sterile leak-proof container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube. Do not transport specimen in culturette or in transport medium.
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time: If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen.
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Replica limits: 1/day/source
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Comments: Tissue or fluid is preferred. A swab is discouraged unless it is the only specimen available; submit swabs in 2 to 3 ml sterile saline. Swabs submitted in transport medium or culturette tube are unacceptable. Do not freeze or preserve tissue.
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Specimen type (reference): Abscess - Open
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Collection guidelines: Aspirate if possible. Aspirate material from under the margin of the lesion/abscess. Remove tissue aseptically.
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Fluid abscess material should be submitted in a sterile leak-proof container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube. Tissue should be submitted in 2 to 3 ml sterile saline in a sterile leak-proof container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube. Do not transport specimen in culturette or in transport medium.
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time: If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen.
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Replica limits: 1/day/source
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Comments: Tissue or fluid is preferred. A swab is discouraged unless it is the only specimen available; submit swabs in 2 to 3 ml sterile saline. Swabs submitted in transport medium or culturette tube are unacceptable. Do not freeze or preserve tissue.
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Specimen type (reference): Blood
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Collection guidelines: Palpate vein before disinfection of venipucture site. Disinfection of venipuncture site:
1. Cleanse site with 70% alcohol
2. Swab concentrically, starting at the center with an iodine preparation
3. Allow the iodine to dry
4. Do no palpate vein at this point without sterile glove
5. Collect blood; mix contents of blood collection tube after collecting.
6. After venipucture, remove iodine from the skin with alcohol
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: 10 ml Yellow top collectors preferred (must contain SPS only); minimum volume is 1 ml.
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time: RT. Do not refrigerate or freeze blood specimens
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Replica limits: 1/day
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Comments:
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Specimen type (reference): Bone Marrow aspirate
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Collection guidelines: Prepare puncture site as for surgical incision.
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Submit in sterile leak-proof container such as sterile 50 ml conical tube.
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time: RT. Do not refrigerate or freeze blood specimens
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Replica limits: 1/day
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Comments:
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Specimen type (reference): Cellulitis, aspirate from area of
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Collection guidelines: 1. Cleanse site by wiping with sterile saline or 70% alcohol.
2. Aspirate the area of maximum inflammation (commonly the center rather than the leading edge)
with a needle and syringe; irrigation with a small amount of sterile saline may be necessary
3. Aspirate saline into syringe, and expel into sterile leak-proof container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile leak-proof container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time:
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Replica limits: 1/day
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Comments: A swab is discouraged unless it is the only specimen available; submit swabs in 2 to 3 ml sterile saline. Swabs submitted in transport medium or culturette tube are unacceptable.
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Specimen type (reference): CSF
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Collection guidelines: 1. Disinfect site with iodine preparation
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile leak-proof container such as 50 ml conical tube. Minimum amt required: 2-3 ml
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time: RT. Do not refrigerate or freeze CSF specimen.
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Replica limits: None
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Comments:
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Specimen type (reference): Eye (exudates)
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Collection guidelines: Aspirate if possible. Collect material in Luer tip syringe.
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Transport device and/or minimum vol: Exudate should be submitted in a sterile leak-proof container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube.
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time: If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen
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Replica limits: None
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Comments:
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Specimen type (reference): Eye - Corneal scrapings
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Collection guidelines: 1. Specimen collected by ophthalmologist
2. Using sterile spatula, scrape ulcers or lesions, and inoculate scraping directly onto medium
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Direct culture inoculations: BHI with 10% sheep blood agar plate or chocolate agar plates
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time:
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Replica limits: None
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Comments: Please notify supervisor at 512-458-7342 prior to shipping this specimen type. Fungal isolation media should also be included but fungal isolation test is not available at TDSHS without prior approval.
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Specimen type (reference): Feces
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Collection guidelines: Pass specimen directly into a sterile leak-proof container. Do not use holding medium or transport medium.
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile, leak-proof, container such as a 50 ml conical tube; minimum volume is 1 gm.
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Transport time and temp: Unpreserved; As soon as possible; Ambient.
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Storage time: If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen
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Replica limits: 1/day
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Comments: Do not submit rectal swabs for mycobacterial culture. Do not freeze specimen.
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Specimen type (reference): Fluids: abdominal, amniotic, ascites, bile, joint, paracentesis, pericardial, peritoneal, pleural, synovial, thoracentesis
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Collection guidelines: 1. Disinfect overlying skin with alcohol or iodine preparation
2. Obtain specimen via percutaneous needle aspiration or surgery
3. Always submit as much fluid as possible; never submit a swab dipped in fluid
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile leak-proof container such as a 50 ml conical tube; Minimum volume is 10-15 ml.
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time:
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Replica limits: None
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Comments: Maximum volume recommended is 15 ml. Bloody specimens can be collected and submitted in 10 ml Yellow top blood collection tube.
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Specimen type (reference): Gastric Wash or lavage for mycobacteria
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Collection guidelines: Collect in early morning before patients eat and while they are still in bed.
1.Introduce a nasogastric tube into the stomach
2. Perform lavage with 25-50 ml of chilled, sterile distilled water
3. Recover sample and place in a leak-proof, sterile container
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile, leak-proof container such as sterile 50 ml conical tube ; minimum volume is 5-10 mL.
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Transport time and temp: Neutralize within 1 h of collection, transport as soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time:
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Replica limits:1/day on three consecutive days
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Comments: The specimen must be processed promptly, since mycobacteria die rapidly in gastric washings. Neutralize with 100 mg sodium carbonate. Maximum volume of specimen recommended is 15 ml.
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Specimen type (reference): Endometrial tissue
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Collection guidelines: 1. Collect tissue aseptically during endometrial biopsy procedure.
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile leak-proof container; if dry, add up to 5 ml sterile saline for transport.
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Transport time and temp: Ambient
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Storage time: RT
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Replica limits:1/day
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Comments: Do not freeze or preserve tissue specimen.
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Specimen type (reference): Vaginal Secretions
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Collection guidelines: 1. Wipe away old secretions and discharge
2. Obtain secretions from the mucosal membrane of the vaginal wall with a sterile pipette
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Submit secretions in sterile leak-proof container; do not use transport medium.
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time: If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen
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Replica limits:1/day
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Comments: A swab is discouraged unless it is the only specimen available; submit swabs in 2 to 3 ml sterile saline. Swabs submitted in transport medium or culturette tube are unacceptable
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Specimen type (reference): Skin lesion
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Collection guidelines: 1. Cleanse with sterile saline, and remove lesion's surface with a sterile scalpel blade
2. Allow transudate to accumulate
3. While pressing the base of the lesion, collect transudate with sterile syringe. Please contents of syringe in sterile leak-proof container.
4. If tissue is collected, place tissue in sterile leak-proof container and add 2 to 3 ml sterile saline for transport.
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile leak-proof container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube.
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time: If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen
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Replica limits:1/day
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Comments: A swab is discouraged unless it is the only specimen available; submit swabs in 2 to 3 ml sterile saline. Swabs submitted in transport medium or culturette tube are unacceptable
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Specimen type (reference): Respiratory, lower Bronchoalveolar lavage, brush or wash, endotracheal aspirate, transtracheal aspirate
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Collection guidelines: 1. Collect washing or aspirate in a sputum trap
2. Place brush in sterile leak-proof container with up to 5 ml of saline
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile container such as a sterile 50 ml conical tube; minimum volume is 3 ml
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time: If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen
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Replica limits:1/day
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Comments:
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Specimen type (reference): Sputum, expectorated
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Collection guidelines: 1. Collect specimen under the direct supervision of a nurse or physician
2. Have patient rinse or gargle with water to remove excess oral flora.
3. Instruct patient to cough deeply to produce a lower respiratory specimen (not postnasal fluid)
4. Collect in a sterile container
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile container such as 50 ml conical tube; minimum volume is 3 ml
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time: If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen
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Replica limits:1/day on 3 consecutive days
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Comments: Early morning sputum specimen is preferred. Do not pool sputum specimens.
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Specimen type (reference): Sputum, induced
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Collection guidelines: 1. Have patient rinse mouth with water after brushing gums and tongue
2. With the aid of a nebulizer, have patients inhale approximately 25 ml of 3-10% sterile saline
3. Collect in a sterile leak-proof container
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile leak-proof container such as a 50 ml conical tube; minimum volume is 3 ml
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time: If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen
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Replica limits:1/day on three consecutive days
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Comments: Same as above for sputum, expectorated.
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Specimen type (reference): Tissue/lymph node
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Collection guidelines: Collected during surgery or cutaneous biopsy procedure
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile leak-proof container such as sterile 50 ml conical tube
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time:
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Replica limits:1/day
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Comments: Always submit as much tissue as possible. Add 2 to 3 ml sterile saline to tissue for transport.
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Specimen type (reference): Urine Female, midstream
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Collection guidelines: 1. While holding the labia apart, begin voiding
2. After several milliliters has passed, collect a midstream portion without stopping the flow of urine
3. The midstream portion is used for bacterial culture
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile, leak-proof container such as sterile 50 ml conical tube; minimum volume is 10-15 ml. Prefer up to 40 ml.
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time: If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen
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Replica limits:1/day on 3 consecutive days.
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Comments: First morning specimen should be collected. Do not pool urine specimens.
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Specimen type (reference): Urine, Male, midstream
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Collection guidelines: 1. While holding foreskin retracted, begin voiding
2. After several milliliters has passed, collect a midstream portion without stopping the flow of urine
3. The midstream portion is used for culture
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile, leak-proof container such as sterile 50 ml conical tube; minimum volume is 10-15 ml. Prefer up to 40 ml.
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time: If transport is delayed for more than one hour, refrigerate specimen
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Replica limits: 1/day on 3 consecutive days
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Comments: First morning specimen should be collected. Do not pool urine specimens
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Specimen type (reference): Straight catheter
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Collection guidelines: Thoroughly cleanse the urethral opening with soap and water
2. Rinse area with wet gauzepads
3. Aseptically, insert catheter into the bladder
4. After allowing approximately 15 ml to pass, collect urine to be submitted in a sterile container
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile, leak-proof container such as sterile 50 ml conical tube; minimum volume is 10-15 ml. Prefer up to 40 ml.
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time:
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Replica limits: 1/day on 3 consecutive days
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Comments: First morning specimen should be collected. Do not pool urine specimens
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Specimen type (reference): Indwelling catheter or suprapubic tap
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Collection guidelines: 1. Disinfect the catheter collection port with 70% alcohol
2. Use needle and syringe to aseptically collect 5-20 ml of urine
3. For suprapubic tap, use Luer tip syringe to collect as much as possible.
4. Transfer to a sterile tube or container
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Transport device and/or minimum vol.: Sterile leak-proof container such as sterile 50 ml conical tube; minimum volume is 10-15 ml
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Transport time and temp: As soon as possible; Ambient
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Storage time:
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Replica limits:
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Comments:
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Specimen type (reference): Wound (See Abscess)
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