Gram smears routinely performed.

Daily. Results available in 5 to 14 days.

Body fluid inoculated in BLC bottles (1 aerobic and 1 anaerobic), 1 to 10 mL in each bottle. Also needs additional specimen (greater than 0.5 mL) submitted in a sterile, leak-proof container for gram stain.

Greater than 1 mL fluid in sterile cup. If specimen is likely to clot, use YELLOW top SPS tube and fill completely.

Acceptable fluid sources: amniotic, ascites, bilary, dialysis, synovial, paracentesis, pericardial, pleural.
If fluid is not one of these sources, please refer to abscess/aspirate culture.

If CSF or blood, order CSF culture or blood culture, respectively.

Body Fluid Culture