Anaerobic Culture, includes aerobic culture - Fluid, Non-CSF

Acceptable specimen: 1-5 mL of sterile fluid.
Submit specimen in sterile container, anaerobic transport media, or red top tube.

Acceptable specimens include: dialysate fluid, drainage fluid, peritoneal fluid, peritoneal dialysis fluid, pleural fluid, synovial fluid.

Refer to CLS Form #M16005:
Collection of Specimens for Anaerobes - Guidelines for Physicians

Store specimen at room temperature.
DO NOT refrigerate.

Transport ASAP (priority) unless requested STAT.
Specimen MUST be received in the laboratory within 2 hours of receipt in the RRL.

DO NOT send specimen in syringe, with or without needle attached.

DO NOT submit swabs of fluid.

Not all fluids are appropriate for anaerobic culture.

Turnaround time for negative culture: 4 days.

For additional information, see CSF and Body Fluid Collection Guidelines.