Department of Microbiology

- Bacteriology
- Virology
- Mycology
- Parasitology
- Mycobacterology
- Molecular Microbiology

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Bacteriology Service

Blood Culture
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST	CONTAINER		NOTES
Blood from adult	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	8 - 10 mL of blood each in BacT/Alert aerobic & anaerobic bottles Specimen Holding Temperature: 35°C		Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: 5 days unless positive Notes: 2 sets of blood cultures are recommended for routine culture but no more than 3 sets are generally required. Each set of blood cultures should be drawn from a separate site and inoculated into one aerobic and one anaerobic bottle. *Positive results are phoned and faxed immediately.
Blood from adult	Sub-acute bacterial endocarditis (SBE)	8 - 10 mL of blood each in BacT/Alert aerobic & anaerobic bottles Specimen Holding Temperature: 35°C		Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: 3 weeks unless positive *Positive results are phoned & faxed immediately.
Blood from neonate	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)	BacT/Alert, up to 1 mL in pediatric bottle Specimen Holding Temperature: 35°C		Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 48 hours; Final: 5 days; unless positive *Positive results are phoned & faxed immediately.
Catheter Tips
Foley catheter			Not recommended	Area: Bacteriology Foley catheters or tips will not be cultured
Intravascular catheter tip	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Skin decontamination, careful aseptic removal. Use sterile scissors to cut Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: 48 - 72 hours *Peripheral blood cultures should accompany
Ear, Nose, and Throat
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST		CONTAINER	NOTES
Ear swab	Culture		Swab in Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours
Epiglottal swab	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Swab in Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours
Nasopharyngeal or nasal swab	B. pertussis		Nasopharyngeal swab in sterile container; Suction tubing in sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Sent out to Public Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks
Nasopharyngeal suction for neonates	Chlamydia		Viral transport media Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Virology Expected Time for Results: 7 days
Nasopharyngeal or nasal swab	Culture for S. aureus and MRSA		Swab in Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours
Sinus or antral lavage	Fungus culture		Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks
Throat swab	Corynebacterium diphtheriae		Swab in Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Sent out to Public Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 1-2 weeks
Throat swab	Culture for Groups A Streptococcus only unless detection of other pathogens requested		Swab in Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: 24 - 48 hours
Throat swab	Mycoplasma		Swab in Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 2 weeks
Eye
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST		CONTAINER	NOTES
Conjuctival swab and lids	Culture		Swab in Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours
Corneal scraping	Chlamydia		Viral transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Virology Expected Time for Results: 7 days
Corneal scraping	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		1 - 3 smear(s); inoculate culture media Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C for media, RT for slides	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 5 days
Intraocular aspirate (anterior / aqueous chamber vitreous fluid)	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours
Genital Tract (Females)
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST		CONTAINER	NOTES
Bartholin's gland abscess	Chlamydia trachomatis detection		viral transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Virology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 1 - 2 weeks
Bartholin's gland abscess	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Swab in Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours
Cervical swab	Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Chlamydia detection		BD ProbeTec swab (Pink – Female) Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: 24 hours Contact microbiologist if LGV suspected
Genital ulcer specimen	Culture for H. ducreyi (chancroid)		Swab in Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Sent out to Public Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 1 week Notes: Contact microbiologist if chancroid or syphilis is suspected.
Intra-uterine device	Examination for Actinomyces		Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: 1 hour Notes: IUD's are not cultured. A gram smear examination only is performed for the detection of Actinomyces.
Upper genital tract swab or aspirate	Anaerobic culture		Anaerobic container Specimen Holding Temperature: Room temperature	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours
Upper genital tract aspirate	Culture		Swab in Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: Room temperature	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours
Vaginal or vulvar swab	Group B streptococci (GBS)		Swab both vagina and rectum Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature:** 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: 48 hours
Vaginal or vulvar swab	Trichomonas, Candida or bacterial vaginosis		Swab in Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: Room temperature	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Same day
Genital Tract (Males)
Genital ulcer specimen	Culture for H. ducreyi (chancroid)		Swab in Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Sent out to Public Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 1 week Notes: Contact microbiologist if chancroid or syphilis is suspected.
Urethral swab	Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Chlamydia detection		No longer processed, please submit urine sample	Area: Bacteriology Submit urine sample
Prostatic fluid, seminal fluid or sperm	Chlamydia trachomatis culture		Chlamydia viral transport media Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Virology Expected Time for Results: 24-48 hours
Prostatic fluid, seminal fluid or sperm	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours
Respiratory Tract
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST		CONTAINER	NOTES
Bronchial brushings	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Bijou bottle with 1 mL Normal saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 hours
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)	Chlamydia and Mycoplasma pneumonia		Sterile container, 1 mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Sent out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 4 weeks Notes: All bronchoscopy specimens will be routinely processed for bacterial and mycobacterial cultures.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Sterile container, 15 mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: All bronchoscopy specimens will be routinely processed for bacterial and mycobacterial cultures.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)	Legionella culture		Sterile container, 1 mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Sent out to: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 2 - 3 weeks Notes: All bronchoscopy specimens will be routinely processed for bacterial and mycobacterial cultures.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)	Mycobacteria (AFB)		Sterile container, 2 mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Mycobacteriology Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 1 week; Final: 4 - 8 weeks Notes: All bronchoscopy specimens will be routinely processed for bacterial and mycobacterial cultures.
Bronchoscopy aspirates, washings or lung needle aspirates	Chlamydia and Mycoplasma pneumonia		Sterile container, 1 mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Sent out to Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 4 weeks Notes: All bronchoscopy specimens will be routinely processed for bacterial and mycobacterial cultures.
Bronchoscopy aspirates, washings or lung needle aspirates	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Sterile container, 15 mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: All bronchoscopy specimens will be routinely processed for bacterial and mycobacterial cultures.
Bronchoscopy aspirates, washings or lung needle aspirates	Legionella culture		Sterile container, 1 mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Sent out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 2 - 3 weeks Notes: All bronchoscopy specimens will be routinely processed for bacterial and mycobacterial cultures.
Lung biopsy (transbronchial or open lung)	Chlamydia and Mycoplasma pneumonia		Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Sent out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 4 weeks Notes: Bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, and viral cultures will routinely processed for these specimens.
Lung biopsy (transbronchial or open lung)	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours Notes: Bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, and viral cultures will routinely processed for these specimens. The appropripriate requistions should be supplied when these specimens are sent.
Lung biopsy (transbronchial or open lung)	Legionella culture		Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: 2 - 3 weeks Notes: Bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, and viral cultures will routinely processed for these specimens. The appropripriate requistions should be supplied when these specimens are sent.
Sputum (including endotracheal tube)	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Sterile container or endotracheal tube Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours
Sputum (including endotracheal tube)	Legionella culture		Sterile container or endotracheal tube Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Sent out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 1 week; Final: 2 - 3 weeks
Spinal Fluids and Other Sterile Body Fluids
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST		CONTAINER	NOTES
Spinal fluid (CSF) or other sterile body fluids	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: Room temperature	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 24 - 48 hours Notes: If multiple tube of CSF are collected, the first tube shall not be used for microbiological examination.
Stools and Other Intestinal
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST		CONTAINER	NOTES
Stool	Clostridium difficile toxin		Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: 24 - 48 hours Notes: A fresh stool specimen is required for this test. Rectal swbs will be discarded. Only a toxin assay will be performed; C. difficile culture is not done.
Stool	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Enteric Pathogen Transport (EPT) Media Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: 48 - 72 hours
Stool	Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE)		Enteric pathogen transport (EPT) media or sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: 48 - 72 hours
Rectal swab	Detection of Group B Streptococcus and multi-drug resistant, contact transmissible bacteria		Swab in Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours
Tissues and Biopsy
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST		CONTAINER	NOTES
Heart valve (tissue/biopsy)	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours
Heart valve (tissue/biopsy)	Legionella culture		Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Refer Out: Provincial Health Lab Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 4 days; Final: 2 - 3 weeks
Tissue and biopsy	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours
Urine
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST		CONTAINER	NOTES
Cystosocpy collected urine	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: 24 – 72 hours
Indwelling catheter urine	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Collect from the upper port using a syringe Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: 24 - 72 hours
Mid-stream urine (MSU)	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Mid-stream urine in sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: 24 - 72 hours
Suprapubic aspirate urine	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: 24 – 72 hours
Urine	Legionella antigen		Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Sent out to Public Health Laboratory Expected Time for Results: 3 – 7days
Urine (Male only)	Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Chlamydia detection		Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: 24 hours Contact microbiologist if LGV suspected
Wounds/Skin Vesicles
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST		CONTAINER	NOTES
Deep wound and aspirate	Anaerobic culture		Swab in asprirate in anaerobic transport containers Specimen Holding Temperature: RT	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: 48 - 72 hours
Deep wound and aspirate	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Swab in Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours
Superficial wound swab and drainage	Culture and sensitivity (C&S)		Swab in Amies transport medium and drainage in sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Bacteriology Expected Time for Results: Gram stain: same day; Prelim: 24 hours; Final: 48 - 72 hours *No anaerobic culture will be performed