Bacteriology

Specimen Type	Test	Requisition	Container	Notes
1st Morning Urine	Mycobacteria (AFB)	MS 331	Complete first morning specimen in a sterile container. Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 1 week; Final: 4 - 8 weeks Notes: N/A
Aspirate	Mycobacteria (AFB)	MS 331	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 1 week; Final: 4 - 8 weeks Notes:N/A
Bartholin's gland abscess	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Copan Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: N/A
Bile of duodenal aspirate	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes:N/A
Blood from adult	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	9 mL of blood in BacT/Alert aerobic bottle and BacT/Alert anaerobic bottle Specimen Holding Temperature: 35°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: 5 days unless positive Notes: 2 sets of blood cultures are recommended for routine culture but no more than 3 sets are generally required. Each set of blood cultures should be drawn from a separate site and inoculated into one aerobic and one anaerobic bottle. Positive blood culture
Blood from adult	Fungus culture (Histoplasma/Blastomyces)	MS 331	9 mL of blood in 10 mL Yellow/Black top Isolator 10 tube Specimen Holding Temperature: Room Temperature	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: 4 weeks unless positive Notes: Positive blood culture results are phoned immediately. Isolator tubes are available from Microbiology department, room 1470.
Blood from adult	Mycobacteria (AFB)	MS 331	9 mL of blood in 10 mL Green top, sodium heparin Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 1 week; Final: 4 - 8 weeks Notes: Positive blood culture results are phoned immediately.
Blood from adult	Sub-acute bacterial endocarditis (SBE)	MS 349	9 mL of blood in BacT/Alert FAN aerobic bottle and BacT/Alert FAN anaerobic bottle Specimen Holding Temperature: 35°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: 3 weeks unless positive Notes: Positive blood culture results are phoned immediately.
Blood from neonate	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	BacT/Alert, up to 1 mL in pediatric bottle Specimen Holding Temperature: 35°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 48 hours; Final: 5 days; unless positive Notes: Positive blood culture results are phoned immediately.
Bronchial brushings	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Bijou bottle with 1 mL Ringer's lactate Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 hours Notes: N/A
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)	Chlamydia and Mycoplasma pneumonia	MS 331	Sterile container, 1 mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 4 weeks Notes: N/A
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Sterile container, 15 mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: N/A
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)	Fungus culture	MS 331	Sterile container, 1 mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks Notes: N/A
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)	Legionella culture	MS 331	Sterile container, 1 mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 2 - 3 weeks Notes: N/A
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)	Mycobacteria (AFB)	MS 331	Sterile container, 5 mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 1 week; Final: 4 - 8 weeks Notes: N/A
Bronchoscopy aspirates, washings or lung needle aspirates	Chlamydia and Mycoplasma pneumonia	MS 331	Sterile container, 1mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 4 weeks Notes: N/A
Bronchoscopy aspirates, washings or lung needle aspirates	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Sterile container, 15 mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: N/A
Bronchoscopy aspirates, washings or lung needle aspirates	Fungus culture	MS 331	Sterile container, 1mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks Notes: N/A
Bronchoscopy aspirates, washings or lung needle aspirates	Legionella culture	MS 331	Sterile container, 1mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 2 - 3 weeks Notes: N/A
Bronchoscopy aspirates, washings or lung needle aspirates	Mycobacteria (AFB)	MS 331	Sterile container, 5mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 1 week; Final: 4 - 8 weeks Notes: N/A
Cervical or urethral swab	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Copan Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: 24 - 48 hours Notes: Specimens examined for N. gonorrhoeae only. Tests for Mycoplasma or Ureaplasma not available.
Conjunctival swab and lids	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Copan Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes:N/A
Conjunctival swab and lids	Viral Detection	MS 331	Copan Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: 24 hours - 1 week Notes: N/A
Corneal scraping	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	1 - 3 smear(s); inoculate culture media Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C for media, Room Temperature for slides	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 5 days Notes: N/A
Corneal scraping	Fungus culture	MS 331	1 - 3 smear(s); inoculate culture media Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C for media, Room Temperature for slides	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours; Final: 4 weeks Notes:N/A
Deep wound and aspirate	Anaerobic culture	MS 331	Swab in aspirate in anaerobic transport containers Specimen Holding Temperature: Room Temperature	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: 48 - 72 hours Notes: N/A
Deep wound and aspirate	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Copan Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: N/A
Deep wound and aspirate	Fungus culture	MS 331	Copan Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks Notes: N/A
Ear swab	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Copan Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: N/A
Ear swab	Fungus culture	MS 331	Copan Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours; Final: 4 weeks Notes: N/A
Epiglottal swab	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Copan Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: N/A
Faeces (Stool)	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Enteric Pathogen Transport (EPT) Media Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: 48 - 72 hours Notes:N/A
Faeces (Stool)	VRE	MS 349	Enteric pathogen transport (EPT) media or sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: 48 - 72 hours Notes:N/A
Genital ulcer specimen	Culture for H. ducreyi (chancroid)	MS 349	Copan Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 1 week Notes: Contact medical microbiologist if chancroid or syphilis is suspected.
Heart value (tissue/biopsy)	Mycoplasma	MS 331	Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 4 weeks Notes: N/A
Heart value (tissue/biopsy)	Mycoplasma (AFB)	MS 331	Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 4 weeks Notes: N/A
Heart value (tissue/biopsy)	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: N/A
Heart value (tissue/biopsy)	Fungus culture	MS 331	Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks Notes: N/A
Heart valve (tissue/biopsy)	Legionella culture	MS 331	Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 4 days; Final: 2 - 3 weeks Notes: N/A
Heart valve (tissue/biopsy)	Mycobacteria (AFB)	MS 331	Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 1 week; Final: 4 - 8 weeks Notes: N/A
Intraocular aspirate (anterior / aqueous chamber vitreous fluid)	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes:N/A
Intraocular aspirate (anterior / aqueous chamber vitreous fluid)	Fungus culture	MS 331	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours; Final: 4 weeks Notes:N/A
Intraocular aspirate (anterior / aqueous chamber vitreous fluid)	Mycobacteria (AFB)	MS 331	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 1 week; Final: 4 - 8 weeks Notes:N/A
Intra-uterine device	Examination for Actinomyces	MS 349	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: 1 hour Notes: IUD's are not cultured. A gram smear examination only is performed for the detection of Actinomyces.
Intravascular catheter tip	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: 48 - 72 hours Notes: N/A
Lacrimal stone (tear duct)	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes:N/A
Lacrimal stone (tear duct)	Fungus culture	MS 331	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: 4 weeks Notes:N/A
Lacrimal stone (tear duct)	Mycobacteria (AFB)	MS 331	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 1 week; Final: 4 - 8 weeks Notes:N/A
Mid-stream urine (MSU)	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Grey top BD urine vacutainer tube. Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: 24 - 48 hours Notes: N/A
Mid-stream urine (MSU)	Eosinophil count	MS 331	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Same day Notes: N/A
Mid-stream urine (MSU)	Fungus culture	MS 331	Grey top BD urine vacutainer tube. Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks Notes: Urine specimens requesting C&S will be examined for Candida. If other fungi are suspected, they must be specified.
Mouth swab	Fungus culture	MS 349	Copan Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Same day Notes: N/A
Nasopharyngeal or nasal swab	B. pertussis	MS 331	Bordetella pertussis Kit. PCR transport medium is colourless. Do not use viral transport medium which is pink in color. Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks Notes: Maximum storage / transit time at 20C to 80C is within 5 days of collection.
Prostatic fluid, seminal fluid or sperm	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: N/A
Rectal swab	Culture and sensitivity (C&S), VRE, MRSA	MS 349	Cobas Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: N/A
Sinus or antral lavage	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes:N/A
Sinus or antral lavage	Fungus culture	MS 331	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks Notes:N/A
Spinal fluid (CSF) or other sterile body fluids	Cryptococcal antigen	MS 331	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: Room temperature - 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: 24 hours Notes: Test suitable for CSF and serum only
Spinal fluid (CSF) or other sterile body fluids	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: Room temperature	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 24 - 48 hours Notes: If multiple tube of CSF are collected, the first tube shall not be used for microbiological examination.
Spinal fluid (CSF) or other sterile body fluids	Fungus culture	MS 331	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: Room temperature - 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks Notes: N/A
Spinal fluid (CSF) or other sterile body fluids	Mycobacteria (AFB)	MS 331	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: Room temperature - 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 1 week; Final: 4 - 8 weeks Notes: N/A
Sputum (including endotracheal tube)	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Sterile container or endotracheal tube Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: N/A
Sputum (including endotracheal tube)	Fungus culture	MS 331	Sterile container or endotracheal tube Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks Notes: N/A
Sputum (including endotracheal tube)	Legionella culture	MS 331	Sterile container or endotracheal tube Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 1 week; Final: 2 - 3 weeks Notes: N/A
Sputum (including endotracheal tube)	Mycobacteria (AFB)	MS 331	Sterile container or endotracheal tube Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 1 week; Final: 4 - 8 weeks Notes: N/A
Superficial wound swab and drainage	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Copan Eswab and drainage in sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: N/A
Throat swab	Corynebacterium diphtheriae	MS 331	Copan Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 1-2 weeks Notes:N/A
Throat swab	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Cobas Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: 24 - 48 hours Notes:N/A
Throat swab	Mycoplasma	MS 331	Cobas Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks Notes: N/A
Tissue and biopsy	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: N/A
Tissue and biopsy	Fungus culture	MS 331	Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature:	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks Notes: N/A
Tissue and biopsy	Mycobacteria (AFB)	MS 331	Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 1 week; Final: 4 - 8 weeks Notes: N/A
Tissue and biopsy	Viral detection	MS 331	Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: 24 hours - 1 week Notes: N/A
Tympanocentesis fluid	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes:N/A
Tympanocentesis fluid	Fungus culture	MS 331	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours; Final: 4 weeks Notes: N/A
Tympanocentesis fluid	Mycobacteria (AFB)	MS 331	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 4-8 weeks Notes: N/A
Upper genital tract swab or aspirate	Anaerobic culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Anaerobic container Specimen Holding Temperature: Room Temperature	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: N/A
Upper genital tract swab or aspirate	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	MS 349	Copan Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: Room Temperature	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: N/A
Upper genital tract swab or aspirate	Mycobacteria (AFB)	MS 331	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 1 week; Final: 8 weeks Notes: N/A
Vaginal or vulvar swab	Group B streptococci (GBS)	MS 349	Copan Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: 48 hours Notes: N/A
Vaginal or vulvar swab	Trichomonas, Candida or bacterial vaginosis	MS 349	Copan Eswab Specimen Holding Temperature: Room Temperature	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: N/A Expected Time for Results: Same day Notes: In-patient specimens are also examined for Group A strep and S. aureus.

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Bacteriology