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HelpTest Code LAB10397 Eye Culture and Gram Stain
Infectious
Performing Laboratory
Barnes-Jewish Hospital Laboratory
Methodology
Gram stains are routinely performed on the following specimens: conjunctiva, contact lens, cornea, aqueous fluid, vitreous fluid, eyelid/skin, lacrimal canaliculus, lacrimal duct. Because culture is more sensitive than Gram stain, the Gram stain is only offered in combination with a culture request.
Specimen Requirements
Acceptable Specimens:
Any amount of specimen in leakproof, screw-capped, sterile container
Collection Procedure:
Note: Specimen source is required.
1. Cornea (corneal scraping)
A. Using sterile spatula, scrape ulcers or lesions into small, leakproof scraw-capped sterile container or Eswab collection kit.
B. Moisten specimen with a minimum amount of sterile saline.
C. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
2. Ocular fluid (aqueous, vitreous)
A. Aseptically collect fluid.
B. Place specimen in leakproof, screw-capped, sterile container.
C. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Additional information on ocular specimen collection instructions see Related Tests
Day(s) Test Set Up
Monday through Sunday
Test Classification and CPT Coding
87070-Culture, aerobic (not stool, rectal swab, or urine)
87075-Culture, anaerobic
87181-Susceptibility, agar diffusion (if appropriate)
87184-Susceptibility, disk diffusion (if appropriate)
87185-Susceptibility, enzyme detection (if appropriate)
87186-Susceptibility, microdilution (if appropriate)
87205-Gram stain (if appropriate)
Reference Values
Not applicable
Literature Reference:
Carroll, Karen, et. al. Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 13th edition. ASM Press. Washington, D.C. 2023
Specimen Transport Temperature
Ambient
Additional Information
Minimum Volume:
Any amount of specimen in leakproof, screw-capped, sterile container and anaerobic transport device
Laboratory Processing Instructions:
Test performed in BJH Microbiology.