Microbiology
| Full details for "Wound culture". | |
|---|---|
Name |
Wound culture |
Alternative name/Profile |
Superficial Wound swab / skin swab / Cellulitis / Burn swab / Ulcer swab / Impetigo / Ecthyma gangrenosum / Erysipelas / Erysipeloid / Erythrasma / Folliculitis / Scalded skin syndrome / Lyell's syndrome / Ritter's syndrome / Paronychia / tetanus / cutaneous diphtheria / Cutaneous sporotrichosis |
Department |
Microbiology |
Investigation |
|
Specimen type |
Samples of pus, if present, are preferred to swabs. If insufficient pus or exudate is available, swab a representative part of the lesion. |
Sample type |
|
Sample container & volume |
Sterile universal container or transwab plain |
Frequency of analysis |
Daily; 08:00 - 20:00 |
Turnaround time |
4 days* |
Availability |
Monday - Sunday |
Notes |
*Although microscopy is not normally initiated on swabs, Samples of fluid or pus have a microscopy results available after 1 day. Organisms isolated from an infected wound may be clinically significant. Particular organisms are often typically associated with specific clinical conditions, so it is essential to include all relevant cliincal details. Where possible specimen collection should be done before antimicrobial therapy has been iniated. Routine processing of superficial swabs of ulcers must be discouraged. Swabbing dry crusted areas are unlikely to be helpful. If specimens are taken from ulcers the debris on the ulcer must be removed, the ulcer cleaned with saline, and either a biopsy, or preferably a needle aspiration of the edge of the wound taken. A less invasive irrigation-aspiration method may be preferred. Ulcers are often colonised by mixtures of aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Some of these organisms may be clinically significant if associated with cellulitis or systemic symptoms. The significance of the microbiological flora detected must be interpreted with care. When infections are complicated by the involvement of soft tissue and bone, isolates from superficial swabs taken from ulcers may correlate poorly with cultures of specimens taken by other means. Such specimens are biopsies and excised tissues, surgically obtained curettage, and aspirates from abscesses. Sampling by irrigation aspiration rather than biopsy has been recommended, and results correlate well with responses to clinical measures. A blood culture is the investigation of choice for patients with cellulitis Viruses, such as Herpes simplex and Varicella zoster, may also cause skin lesions. Please use a "Green top" or "Red top" Viral culture swab. Send sample to the laboratory without delay. Sample should be refrigerated if not transported immediately |
Related links |
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Reference range |
Investigation of pus and exudates swabs from skin and superficial soft tissue infections
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Last updated |
Fri, 19 Jul 2024 15:54:46 IST |