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Test Code LAB10410 Body Fluid Culture  

Performing Laboratory

Barnes-Jewish Hospital Laboratory

Methodology

Gram stains are routinely performed on the following specimens: amniotic fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal dialysis fluid, peritoneal fluid, pleural fluid and synovial fluid. Because culture is more sensitive than Gram stain, the Gram stain is only offered in combination with a culture request.

Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

>1 mL in leakproof, screw-capped, sterile container, or ≥1 mL in anaerobic transport device.

 

Collection Procedure:
1. Aseptically collect ≥2mL of fluid in a screw-capped, sterile container.
2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87070-Culture, aerobic (not stool, rectal swab, or urine) (if appropriate)
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:
0.5 mL in leakproof, screw-capped, sterile container and 0.5mL in anaerobic transport device.

Laboratory Processing Instructions:
Test performed in BJH Microbiology.