MICROBIOLOGY SPECIMEN COLLECTION

BLOOD CULTURE

A laboratory test used to detect microorganisms, especially bacteria, in the blood

70& ALCOHOL

An antiseptic used to disinfect the skin before certain specimen collections, including blood culture collection.

30 SECONDS

The antiseptic should be in contact with the skin or site of collection for at least HOW MANY SECONDS

10ML

The ideal amount of blood for each blood culture bottle; adequate volume increases the chance of detecting microorganisms.

1:5 - 1:10

The optimal ratio of blood to culture medium is about

SWABS

are never recommended for anaerobic culture.

ANAEROBIC BACTERIA

Bacteria that can grow in the absence of oxygen.

NEEDLE ASPIRATION

Removal of a specimen, usually fluid or pus, using a needle and syringe.

ASPIRATION

are highly suggested for anaerobic culture compared to swab samples because the former are less likely to be contaminated with skin microbiota.

DEAD SPACE

THE SPACE SEEN IN THE SYRINGE THAT MAY INTEREFERE WITH THE BACTERIAL GROWTH.

DACRON/CALCIUM ALGINATE

swabs are preferred rather than cotton-tipped ones.

COTTON TIPPED SWAM

swabs may have excessive fatty acids which are inhibitory and toxic to some bacteria.

DIRECT SMEAR
CULTURE

Wound specimens

• Two swabs may be submitted, WHAT ARE THOSE

CALCIUM ALGINATE
SWABS WITH WOODEN SHAFT

are not recommended for viral collection including samples for SARS-CoV-2 studies since they may contain substances that inactivate some viruses and may inhibit molecular tests.

SYNTHETIC FIBER SWABS

Recommended for viral specimen collection because it is less likely to interfere with viral detection.

30 MINUTES

Ideally, most specimens should be transported to the laboratory immediately and preferably within HOW MANY MINUTES?

2HOURS

Aerobic/anaerobic cultures SHOULD BE TRANSPORTEN IN NOT MORETHAN

10MINUTES

For anaerobic bacteria, the transport should not take more than HOW MANY MINUTES

15 MMINUTES

CSF and sterile body fluids SHOULD BE TRANSPORTED IN THE LABORATORY WITHIN

triple packaging

A transport system using three layers of packaging to protect the specimen and prevent leakage or exposure during shipmenT

international air transport association
international civil aviation organization

provides regulations and standards for transporting biological and other materials by air.

establishes international standards for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air.

primary receptacle
secondary container
third receptacle

A triple package consists of three layers: what are they

primary receptacle

The first container that directly holds the specimen.

It contains the infectious substance, and the receptable should be watertight, leak-proof, and labelled properly including the contents of the sample.

secondary container

The second layer of containment that protects the primary receptacle and helps prevent leakage.

It is watertight, leak-proof packaging, and is used to enclose and protect the primary receptacle(s).

third receptacle

It protects the secondary container from physical damage during transport.

boric acid / sodium polyvinyl alcohol

may be added to urine samples to maintain the appropriate colony count at room temperature for 24 hours if the specimen cannot be processed immediately.

stuart’s medium
Amies medium
cary blair

give example of transport holding media

charcoal

is sometimes added to a transport medium to absorb fatty acid in the specimen that could affect the pH of the medium that could kill fastidious organism

sodium polyanetholulfonate in 0.025%

preferred anti coagulatn added in the blood culture media

citrate
EDTA
heparin

type of tubes that should be avoided since they might inhibit the growth of bacteria

heparin

this anticoagulant inhibits the growth of gram positive bacteria

citrate

this tube anticoagulant diminishes the activity of gram-positive cocci

sodium amylosuldate

this has the same structural homology as SPS but this is less effective in serum bacteriocidal activity

incubatory temperature 35C

CSF should be kept in this type of temperature

refrigerator temp

the specimen kept here are sputa, fomites, viral sample, such as catheter and unpreserved samples

cary blair

if the stool is delayed for transport for more than 2 hours, they can be placed in what holding media

ambient room temperature 22-25c

these specimens such as anaerobic bacteria, body fluids, genital tract specimen, wound and lesion, swabs of eyes and ears are kept in this temperature

freezing temp.

the common specimen kept here are serology which ranges in -20c and tissue which ranges in -70C

gross examanition

stool are examined for evidence of blood, muscus, rice-watery appearance

GRAM STAINING

this helps visualize the RBC, WBC AND SQUAMOUS EPITHELIAL CELLS ASIDE FROM COCCI

ACID FAST STANING

IDEAL FOR DETECTION OF MYCOBACTERIA AND ACID FAST BACTERIA