The Microbiology Laboratory has recently seen an increase in inappropriate specimens submitted for anaerobic culture.  The following is a list of specimens that are likely to be contaminated with anaerobic normal flora and are NOT routinely accepted for anaerobic culture.

 

Throat or nasopharyngeal swabs

Gingival or other intraoral surface swabs

Expectorated sputum

Sputum obtained by nasotracheal or endotracheal suction

Bronchial washings

Voided or catheterized urine

Vaginal or cervical swabs

Gastric and small bowel contents (except for "blind loop" or bacterial overgrowth syndrome)

Feces (except for specific etiologic agents such as C. difficile and C. botulinum)

Rectal swabs

Surface swabs from ulcers and wounds (collect material from below the surface)

Material adjacent to a mucous membrane that has not been adequately decontaminated

 

Additional information regarding the proper collection and transport of material for anaerobic cultures is available in the Web-Based Pathology Laboratory Services Handbook.  Questions should be directed to the Microbiology Laboratory at 6-2591.