Microbiology
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faeces - Enteric pathogens | Faeces | Sterile universal container containing a minimum volume of 2-3 ml of loose/liquid specimen. A maximum volume of half the container full should be the limit. DO NOT OVERFILL CONTAINER, AS LEAKING SAMPLES MAY NOT BE TESTED | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faecal Ova, Cysts & Parasites | Faeces | Sterile Universal Container. Please send 3 specimens (but no more than 3) on different days as some parasites are excreted intermittently. | Weekly, daily for Cryptosporidium species and Giardia lamblia (Monday to Friday) |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordetella pertussis culture | Perinasal swab | Perinasal charcoal swab | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordetella pertussis antibody testing | Peripheral blood | a) 6 ml clotted Red top serum tube b) 4ml Purple EDTA | Friday |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordetella pertussis PCR testing | a) Perinasal swab or b) Nasopharyngeal aspirate | a) Perinasal charcoal swab b) Sterile container | Monday, Wednesday, Friday |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronchoalveolar lavage (culture) | Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, Bronchial washings or brushings | Sterile universal container | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sputum culture | Sputum (Early morning sputum sample is optimum), Endotracheal Aspirate (ETA) | Sterile universal container | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urethral swab - culture | Urethral Swab | Copan swab | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leptospirosis microscopy | Freshly voided urine. Urine sample must be received in the laboratory within 2 hours of collection. | sterile universal container | This test has been suspended as a test in the Microbiology laboratory until further notice. |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRSA screen | Swabs of nose, throat and perineum/groin | Transwab MRSA | Monday - Saturday: Once daily 11am |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJD 14-3-3 Protein | Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) | Minimum volume of 5mL required* in Sterile container with a clear warning of ?CJD. |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fungal culture - systemic | Pus/aspirate, Tissue/Biopsy, BAL/Sputum, CSF, Blood Culture, Bone Marrow, Ear Swab or other | Sterile universal container or Transwab plain | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fungal culture - superficial infection | Skin scrapings, Hair follicles and/or Nails | 'Mycotrans' envelope* | Once weekly |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 Beta-d-glucan | Peripheral Blood | 5 ml Red top serum tube | Performed on Monday and Thursday mornings. In the case when Monday is a bank holiday, tests will only be performed on Wednesday of that week. |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urine culture and Cell Count | Urine | 10 mL of urine in a Sterile Universal Container | Monday to Saturday during routine working hours. Urgent samples are processed 24/7 |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| LGV PCR | Male:Rectal swab | Viral swab (green-topped Sigma Virocult) | Once weekly, usually Wednesday |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brucella serology | Peripheral blood | 6 ml clotted Red top serum tube | By arrangement |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filaria serology | 6ml clotted blood | 6 ml Red top clotted blood | By arrangement |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toxocara canis serology | Peripheral blood | 6 ml clotted Red top serum tube | By arrangement |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Histoplasma capsulatum serology | Peripheral blood | 6 ml clotted Red top serum tube | By arrangement |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsporidiosis PCR | Unfixed stool, tissue and urine samples | Sterile universal container | By arrangement |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trichinella Spiralis serology | Peripheral blood | 6 ml Red top clotted blood | By arrangement |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echinococcus serology | Peripheral blood | 6 ml clotted Red top serum tube | By arrangement |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Throat swab culture | Throat swab | transwab plain | Daily; 08:00 - 20:00 |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleural fluid culture | Pleural fluid | 5 ml in a sterile universal container | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pericardial fluid culture | Pericardial fluid | 5 ml in a sterile universal container | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| High vaginal swab - culture | High vaginal swab | transwab plain | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia trachomatis / Neisseria gonorrhoeae PCR | PREFERRED SPECIMEN TYPES: Male: First-void urine (or urethral swab ) Female: Vulvo-vaginal swab (or endocervical swab) Specialist STI Clinics only: Rectal swabs and pharyngeal swabs | First Void Urines: Samples must be taken using the Aptima Urine Specimen Collection Kit. Swabs: Swabs must be taken using the Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit. Please see “Notes” section below for full instructions. Collection Kits are available from Microbiology (phone 01-4162966 to arrange). | Monday - Friday |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood culture | Blood | 10 ml of blood in an aerobic and 10ml in an anaerobic blood culture bottle** | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPE Screening | Rectal Swab or Faeces | Routine : Rectal Liquid Transwab plain or Sterile Universal containing a minimum of 1-2mls of faeces Urgent samples: Rectal Transwab (red top) obtained from the laboratory (phone Ext: 2966) | Routine screening: Daily. Urgent screening: Performed for Keith Shaw Ward/Keith Shaw ITU and ICU patients from 08:00 - 22:00 or on request through the Consultant Microbiologist. |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galactomannan antigen EIA | Peripheral blood, Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL), Tracheal Aspirates | 6 ml clotted Red top serum tube or Sterile universal container for BAL | Tuesday and Friday mornings |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-streptolysin O titre | Peripheral blood | 6 ml clotted Red top serum tube | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ascitic fluid culture | Ascitic fluid | 5 mL in sterile universal container | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bile fluid culture | Bile fluid | 5-10 ml in a sterile universal container | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biopsy | Biopsy / Tissue | Sterile universal container. Immerse in sterile saline if likely to dry out. | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bone Marrow | Bone marrow biopsy/aspirate | Sterile universal container, blood culture bottle | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devices/artificial material | Devices | Epidural tip /IUCD/Mirena/Pacemaker/Pacing leads/Pacing wire/AICD/ICD leads/Port catheter/Ureteric stent/Screws/Prosthetic heart valve | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ear swab | Pus or exudates are always preferable to a swab. If insufficient for collection, swab any pus or exudate. | Sterile Universal container or transwab plain | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eye swab - culture | Eye swab - any available pus is sampled as well as the lesion of interest. | Transwab plain | Daily; 08:00 - 20:00 |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicobacter pylori culture & Susceptibility | Send antral and corpus biopsies | Sterile transport media (Portagerm Pylori PORT-PYL) (available in Microbiology) | Daily Monday to Thursday |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joint fluid culture | 5-10 ml fluid obtained using an aseptic technique | Sterile universal container | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wound culture | Samples of pus, if present, are preferred to swabs. If insufficient pus or exudate is available, swab a representative part of the lesion. | Sterile universal container or transwab plain | Daily; 08:00 - 20:00 |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirmation of N. gonorrhoeae | Isolate (Please state the site of isolation) | Chocolate agar slope | Once per week |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reduced susceptibility N. gonorrhoeae isolates | Isolate (Please state the site of isolation) | Chocolate agar slope | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| N. gonorrhoeae susceptibility testing | Isolate (Please state the site of isolation) | Chocolate agar slope | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cerebrospinal fluid | Cerebrospinal fluid. Blood cultures should be collected from all patients with suspected meningitis. | THREE sequentially labelled sterile white-capped containers containing 10 drops of fluid. Please also send OCM labels for CSFGLu and CSFProt in the same bag and these will be appropriately forwarded to Biochemistry through the Microbiology department. | As required |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptococcal antigen | Peripheral blood or CSF | 6 ml clotted Red top serum tube or Sterile universal container for CSF | Daily (Serum)& As Required (CSF samples) |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clostridium difficile | Faeces | Sterile universal container containing 2-3 ml of loose/liquid specimen | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptosporidium detection | Faeces | Sterile universal container filled to between ¼ and ½ full. Please do not fill to the brim | Daily-Monday to Friday |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| VRE Screening | Faeces or Rectal Swab | Sterile Universal containing a minimum of 1-2mls of specimen OR transwab plain | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abscess culture | Pus is always preferable to a swab. If insufficient send a swab well soaked in pus. | Sterile universal container or transwab plain | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trypanosomiasis serology | Peripheral blood | 6 ml Red top clotted blood | By arrangement |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schistosoma antibodies | Peripheral blood | 6 ml clotted Red top serum tube | By arrangement |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strongyloides antibody | Peripheral blood | 6 ml clotted Red top serum tube | By arrangement |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teicoplanin assay | Peripheral blood | 6 ml Red top serum tube | Monday - Friday |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trichomoniasis | endocervical, vaginal swab and female urine specimens, | Aptima Multitest swabs (Orange) and Aptima Urine collection (Yellow) | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tobramycin assay | Peripheral Blood | 6 ml Red top serum tube | Monday - Friday |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schistosoma haematobium | Urine | Collect urine sample between 10.00h and 14.00h which is the period of maximum activity. Sterile containers without boric acid must be used. A minimum volume of 10mL is required. Notification must be given to Microbiology lab prior to collection. |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pneumococcal urinary antigen | Urine | Sterile universal container | Three times weekly; Monday, Wednesday & Friday |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legionella urinary antigen | Urine | Sterile universal container | Three times weekly: Monday, Wednesday & Friday |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legionella culture | Sputum or Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) | Sterile universal container | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tip culture | Distal 3 cm of the line cut with a sterile scissors | Sterile universal container | Daily |
| Name | Specimen type | Sample container & volume | Frequency of analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cervical swab - culture | Cervical swab | transwab plain | Daily |