Specimen Requirements

Preferred Collection Container: 

Sterile Container

Also Acceptable Collection Container: 

Copan ESwabs

Collection Information: 

Acceptable sources: Sputum, Bronchoalveolar Lavage, Gastric Aspirate, Urine, Body Fluid, Tissue
Acceptable containers: Sterile cup, Copan ESwabs

Transport Information: 

Gastric lavage specimens must be treated with equal parts 1% sodium bicarbonate prior to transport to reference laboratory.
To prepare 1% sodium bicarbonate from a 7.5 % solution:

1. Dilute 1.0 mL of 7.5% sodium bicarbonate with 13.0 mL of sterile deionized water.
2. Mix
3. Solution is stable 24 hours refrigerated.

Remarks: 

Aseptic technique must be used in obtaining, and transport of specimen.

See Specimen Collection Guidelines for specific specimen. Identification and susceptibility tests are billed separately from culture. SWABS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THE ISOLATION OF MYCOBACTERIUM, SINCE THEY PROVIDE LIMITED SPECIMEN MATERIAL.

For patients with clinical and chest x-ray findings compatible with tuberculosis, three sputum samples should be collected over an 8-24 hour period of time (including at least one first morning specimen).

Unacceptable Conditions: 

Dry specimen, Leaking container, inadequate volume of sputum or fluid specimens (5 ml), specimen on gel or dry swab.