Lecture 1 - Specimen Collection & Processing

stool preservative

PVA, formalin, cary blair

when is Cary Blair used

stool culture, PCR

what preservative is used for stool C. diff

none

what specimens is SPS used for

blood, bone marrow, fluids

what specimens is heparin used for

body fluids

what specimens are citrate & EDTA used for

none for micro

Urine preservative

boric acid, room temp

when is PVA used

ova & parasite preservation

specimen prioritization

L1: critical specimens (e.g. CSF)
L2: unpreserved
L3: quantitation req
L4: preserved

analysis prioritization

macroscopic observation
microscopic observation
unacceptable specimens

capnophilic

increased CO2 concentration

microaerophilic

decreased O2 concentration and increased CO2 concentration

nonselective media

supports growth of most organisms

selective media

selects for growth of specific organisms

differential media

allows specific characteristics to be visualized by growth

enriched media

enhances growth of fastidious organisms
has certain nutrients needed by organism