Microbiology
| Full details for "Abscess culture". | |
|---|---|
Name |
Abscess culture |
Alternative name/Profile |
Pus / Deep-seated wound / Post-operative wound infection / Brain Abscess / Breast Abscess / Carbuncles / Furuncles / Cutaneous / Soft Tissue Abscess / Cutaneous abscesses / Pyomyositis / Dental Abscess / dentoalveolar abscesses / Periodontal disease / gingivitis / periodontitis / Liver Abscess / Pyogenic liver abscesses / Lung Abscess / Pancreatic Abscess / Perirectal Abscess / Pilonidal Abscess / Prostatic Abscess / Psoas Abscess / Renal Abscess / Perinephric abscesses / Scalp Abscess / Spinal Epidural Abscess / Subphrenic Abscess / Actinomycosis / Postoperative wound infections / Infectious gangrene / Intra-abdominal sepsis / peritonitis / intra-abdominal abscesses / Bartholin's gland abscess / tubo-ovarian infection / puerperal sepsis / endometritis / pelvic abscess / necrosis |
Department |
Microbiology |
Investigation |
|
Specimen type |
Pus is always preferable to a swab. If insufficient send a swab well soaked in pus. |
Sample type |
|
Sample container & volume |
Sterile universal container or transwab plain |
Frequency of analysis |
Daily |
Turnaround time |
4 days |
Availability |
Monday - Sunday |
Notes |
Clean the surface of the wound with sterile saline or water before sampling the deepest part of the wound trying to avoid the superficial microflora. Where possible specimen collection should occur before antimicrobial therapy has been initiated. Ideally all samples are processed as soon as possible as the recovery rate of anaerobes is compromised if the transport time exceeds 3 hours due to their susceptibility to air. The volume of specimen influences the transport time that is acceptable. Large volumes of purulent material maintain the viability of anaerobes for longer. The following specimens when processed receive extended anaerobic culture (5 days). Abscesses are accumulations of pus in the tissues. Any organism isolated may be significant. Abscesses occur in many parts of the body as superficial infections or as deep-seated infections associated with any internal organ. The location of an abscess often determines the flora likely to be isolated. Recurrent staphylococcal furunculosis is highly infectious and may be the first sign of an underlying disease such as diabetes mellitus. Aspiration of dental abscesses is necessary to obtain samples containing the likely causative organisms. Swabs are likely to be contaminated with superficial commensal flora. Send sample to the laboratory without delay. Sample should be refrigerated if not transported immediately |
Related links |
The Royal college of Pathologists: |
Reference range |
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Last updated |
Fri, 19 Jul 2024 09:36:56 IST |