Culture, Eye
Eye Culture
Test Codes
EPIC: LAB5485
Department
Microbiology
Instructions
The proper collection of aerobic cultures cannot be over-emphasized. Specimens which are improperly collected may yield misleading results.
Specimen Collection Criteria
Collect: Scrapings or other specimens from the cornea, conjunctiva, or eye, placed in a sterile container, ESwab in Amies transport medium, or inoculated directly onto media.
- When culturing both eyes, use separate swabs.
- Most eye specimens are collected by a physician and inoculated directly onto culture media. When sending inoculated media to the Laboratory, plates must be taped shut and placed in a biohazard bag.
- Inoculated culture media is to be transported immediately to the Microbiology Laboratory at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).
Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation
Maintain specimens at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport. Arrange for transport to the Laboratory immediately after collection.
Preparation for Courier Transport
Transport: Specimen in ESwab or Amies transport medium or inoculated media, at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).
Rejection Criteria
- Specimens not submitted to the Laboratory immediately after collection.
- Specimens in non-sterile or leaking containers, or specimens that have been delayed in transit will be tested, with reporting at the discretion of the Microbiology Medical/Technical Director.
Inpatient Specimen Preparation
Transport specimens to the Laboratory immediately after collection.
In-Lab Processing
If inoculated plates are delayed in transit, the culture may be compromised or contaminated and the physician will be notified.
Storage
Specimen Stability for Testing:
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 24 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable
Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Laboratory
Dearborn Microbiology Laboratory
Taylor, Trenton and Wayne sent to Dearborn Microbiology Laboratory for testing.
Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory
Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, and Troy sent to Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory for testing.
Performed
Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Preliminary results available within 24 hours.
Final negative results available in 3 days.
Reference Range
No organisms recovered.
Test Methodology
Gram stain, aerobic culture, and identification, susceptibility testing (if indicated).
Interpretation
The recovery of microorganisms from an appropriate, properly collected specimen may be indicative of an infectious disease process.
Clinical Utility
This test is used to recover and identify aerobic bacteria that may be involved in human infections.
Reference
Church, D.L., 2016, Ocular Cultures, in Leber, A.L., Editor-in-Chief, Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook, 4th edition, Section 3.10.
CPT Codes
87070 (Aerobic Culture), 87205 (Gram Stain).
LOINC: 609-8
Contacts
Microbiology Laboratory – DBN
313-593-7921
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – DBN
Location:
Phone: 313-593-7921
Microbiology Laboratory – RO
248-551-8090
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – RO
Location:
Phone: 248-551-8090
Last Updated
6/15/2022
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