Ordering Guidance

Mayo Clinic Laboratories will not perform susceptibility testing on select agents (eg, Bacillus anthracis, Brucella species, Burkholderia mallei, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Francisella tularensis, and Yersinia pestis). Consult with your state health department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding antimicrobial susceptibility testing of such isolates. For more information see www.selectagents.gov/sat/list.htm.

Shipping Instructions

1. See Infectious Specimen Shipping Guidelines

2. Place specimen in a large infectious container and label as an etiologic agent/infectious substance.

Necessary Information

Organism identification and specimen source (anatomical body site) are required.

Specimen Required

Preferred:

Specimen Type: Bacterial isolate swab

Supplies:

E-Swab (T853)

Infectious Container, Large (T146)

Container/Tube:

Preferred: E-Swab collection and transport system

Acceptable: Flocked swab and 1-mL liquid Amies transport medium in 12 x 80 mm tube

Collection Instruction:

1. Perform isolation of bacterial isolate.

2. Utilize the flocked swab to obtain an adequate sample of pure cultured isolate. Do not submit mixed cultures.

3. Place swab into the transport system containing 1-mL liquid Amies transport medium.

4. If needed, break off end of swab and close the transport tube.

5. Place the transport system into the secondary infectious container for shipment.

6. Each isolate must be submitted under a separate order.

Note: For the following organisms, submit an agar slant or other appropriate media to ensure viability upon arrival to the laboratory; Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Campylobacter species, Helicobacter pylori, and any other fastidious organism.

Acceptable:

Specimen Type: Pure culture of organism from source cultured

Supplies: Infectious Container, Large (T146)

Container/Tube: Agar slant or other appropriate media

Collection Instructions:

1. Perform isolation of bacterial isolate.

2. Bacterial organism must be submitted in pure culture, actively growing. Do not submit mixed cultures.

3. Place the agar slant or other appropriate media into the secondary infectious container for shipment.

4. Each isolate must be submitted under a separate order.