Additional Specimen Instructions

For anaerobic cultures specimens must be received in an Eswab. Aspirate or Tissue are preferred specimens for anaerobice cultures. Anaerobe cultures are held for a minimum of 4 days.

For additional guidance on acceptable source for anaerobic culture click here

This test order is for deep wounds and invasively collected abscesses. Aerobic cultures are held for 3-4 days.

Deep Wound- including bites, should be cultured only if there is purulence, chronic drainage or non-healing.

Abscesses that are closed off and not yet draining externally should be aspirated and the pus/purulent fluid sent for culture. Aspirate infected material with a needle and syringe- DO NOT SEND THE NEEDLE.