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Test Code LAB10411 Ear Culture and Gram Stain  

Performing Laboratory

Barnes-Jewish Hospital Laboratory

Methodology

Gram stains are routinely performed on ear specimens. Because culture is more sensitive than Gram stain, the Gram stain is only offered in combination with a culture request.

Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Aspirate, Drainage - 1 ESwab per test request in sterile transport tube or ≥1mL fluid in leakproof, screw-capped, sterile container.

 

Collection Procedure:

External
A. Cleanse external canal with mild antiseptic. Avoid topical ointments or drugs in or on site to be cultured.
B. Swab, scrape, or aspirate specimen from active margin, preferably including fresh drainage from deeper areas.
C. Return ESwab into transport tube following instructions on kit. Place aspirated specimen in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.
D. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

 

Internal
A. Cleanse external canal with mild antiseptic. Avoid topical ointments or drugs in or on site to be cultured.
B. Insert sterile funnel and swab or aspirate specimen from eardrum or beyond.
C. If eardrum is not perforated, specimen should be collected by a provider trained in this procedure.
D. Return ESwab into transport tube following instructions on kit. Place aspirated specimen in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.
E. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

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:
Aspirate, Drainage - 1 ESwab per test request in sterile transport tube or ≥1mL fluid in leakproof, screw-capped, sterile container.

 

Laboratory Processing Instructions:
Test performed in BJH Microbiology.