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Tissue Culture

Tissue, Anaerobic

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB2111173

Department

Microbiology

Instructions

• This test is for invasively collected biopsy samples of deep organs and tissues.
• Do NOT submit swab specimens. They are strongly discouraged due to inadequate specimen volume. 

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: Tissue in a sterile collection container with 0.5 mL of sterile, non-bacteriostatic saline. Alternatively, very small pieces of tissue can be placed on a square of moistened sterile gauze. Very small tissue samples may also be placed in an ESwab transport device. See Specimen Collection Manual: Tissue for further instructions. Specimen types are listed below:

• Surgical:  5-10 mm³ piece of tissue (approximately a half inch).
• Biopsy:  Aspirate (Ex. Fine Needle Aspirate, FNA).

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Arrange for transportation to the Laboratory prior to specimen collection. Courier Services may be contacted for a STAT pickup. Sterile specimens in sterile collection containers must be received in the Laboratory within 24 hours of collection. Maintain specimens at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Tissue specimen at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).

Rejection Criteria

• Specimens submitted in containers with formalin or that have ever contained formalin.
• Swab specimens are strongly discouraged due to inadequate specimen volume. 
• Desiccated (dry) samples. 

Inpatient Specimen Preparation

Transport specimen to the Laboratory immediately after collection or store at room temperature up to 24 hours.

• Bacteria that are especially sensitive to prolonged transport conditions include Bordetella pertussis, Shigella spp., Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and anaerobes.

In-Lab Processing

Gram stain will be performed on the specimen.

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): 24 hours (may affect the recovery of anaerobes)
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days

Laboratory

Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Preliminary results available within 24 hours.

Reference Range

No organisms recovered.

Test Methodology

Gram stain, aerobic culture, identification and 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 and yeast that may be involved in human infections.

Reference

1. Ellen Jo Baron and Richard B. Thomson, Jr. Specimen Collection, Transport, and Processing: Bacteriology, pg. 228-272. James Versalovic, Editor-in-Chief. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 10th edition. ASM Press. Washington, D.C., 2011.
2. Lynne S. Garcia, Editor-in-Chief. Section 2 - Specimen Collection, Transport, and Acceptability, pg. 51-80 and Section 3.13.1 - Wound/Abscess and Soft Tissue Cultures, pg. 440-457. Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook, 3rd Edition. ASM Press. Washington, D.C., 2010. 

CPT Codes

87070, 87075, 87088. Additional charges will be incurred for identification and susceptibility testing. 

Contacts

Last Updated

9/30/2024