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Test ID GEN Bacterial Culture, Aerobic

Useful For

Detecting bacteria responsible for infections of sterile body fluids, tissues, or wounds

Reflex Tests

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
COMM Identification Commercial Kit No, (Bill Only) No
RMALD Ident by MALDI-TOF mass spec No, (Bill Only) No
GID Bacteria Identification No, (Bill Only) No
ISAE Aerobe Ident by Sequencing No, (Bill Only) No
REFID Additional Identification Procedure No, (Bill Only) No
SALS Serologic Agglut Method 1 Ident No, (Bill Only) No
EC Serologic Agglut Method 2 Ident No, (Bill Only) No
SHIG Serologic Agglut Method 3 Ident No, (Bill Only) No
STAP Identification Staphylococcus No, (Bill Only) No
STRP Identification Streptococcus No, (Bill Only) No
TISSR Tissue Processing No, (Bill Only) No
BLA Beta Lactamase No, (Bill Only) No
CARNP Carbapenemase-Carba NP Test Yes, External; No Internal (CARNB Bill Only) No
HODGE Carbapenamase-Modified Hodge Test Yes, External; No Internal (HODGB Bill Only) No
KPNRP KPC and NDM PCR Yes, External; No Internal (KPND1 Bill Only) No

Testing Algorithm

When this test is ordered, the reflex tests may be performed and charged.

Method Name

Conventional Culture Technique

Reporting Name

Bacterial Culture, Aerobic

Specimen Type

Varies

Forms: If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request Form (T244) with the specimen (http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/it-mmfiles/microbiology_test_request_form.pdf).

 

Specimen must be received in laboratory within 24 hours of collection.

 

Specimen source is required: include the specific anatomic source. Indicate whether it is a "surface" or "deep/surgical" specimen. Do not label only as "wound."

 

Preferred:

Specimen Type: Closed abscess

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: Entire collection

Collection Instructions: Aspirate the abscess contents with a syringe.

 

Acceptable:

Specimen Type: Open abscess, swab, tissue, or fluid

Sources: Abscess, aspirate, lesion, or wound

Container/Tube: Sterile container or culture transport swab

Collection Instructions: For most open lesions and abscesses, remove superficial flora by decontaminating skin before collecting a specimen from advancing margin or base.

Additional Information:

1. If submitting a specimen from a source contaminated with usual flora, send at refrigerated temperature.

2. Refrigerated specimens are not suitable for isolation of Neisseria species.

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Varies Ambient (preferred) 24 hours
  Refrigerated  24 hours

Clinical Information

Sterile Body Fluids and Normally Sterile Tissues:

In response to infection, fluid may accumulate in any body cavity.

 

Wound, Abscess, Exudates:

Skin and soft tissue infections can occur as a result of a break in the skin surface, or they can occur as complications of surgery, trauma, human, animal, or insect bites, or diseases that interrupt a mucosal or skin surface. Specimen collection is of utmost importance for these specimen types. For most open lesions and abscesses, remove the superficial flora by decontaminating the skin before collecting a specimen from the advancing margin or base. A closed abscess is the specimen site of choice. Aspirate the abscess contents with a syringe.

Reference Values

No growth or usual flora

Identification of probable pathogens

Cautions

No significant cautionary statements.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday; Continuously

Report Available

5 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test uses a standard method. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

87070-Bacterial, Culture, Aerobic

87077-Identification commercial kit (if appropriate)

87077-Ident by MALDI-TOF mass spec (if appropriate)

87077-Bacteria identification (if appropriate)

87077-Additional identification procedure (if appropriate)

87077-Identification Staphylococcus (if appropriate)

87077-Identification Streptococcus (if appropriate)

87147 x 5-Serologic agglut method 1 ident (if appropriate)

87147-Serologic agglut method 2 ident (if appropriate)

87147 x 4-Serologic agglut method 3 ident (if appropriate)

87153-Aerobe ident by sequencing (if appropriate)

87176-Tissue processing (if appropriate)

87185-Beta lactamase (if appropriate)

87185-Carbapenemase detection, Carba NP test (if appropriate)

87185-Carbapenemase detection, modified Hodge test (if appropriate)

87798 x 2-KPC and NDM PCR (if appropriate)

NY State Approved

Yes