| Superficial wound |
| Preparation |
Cleanse with antiseptic to remove debris (superficial organisms). Sterile water or sterile saline will not interfere with culture results. Dry with sterile gauze. |
| Type, Number or Volume |
Pus, biopsy, aspirate. |
| Container or Transport Device |
Sterile container or culturette. |
| Technique |
Swab or aspirate. Deep or active areas, not the lesion surface. |
| Comments |
- |
| Extensive burns or decubitis ulcer |
| Preparation |
Cleanse surrounding skin with antiseptic. |
| Type, Number or Volume |
For quantitative culture, need 34mm dermal punch (1g of tissue). |
| Container or Transport Device |
Sterile container. |
| Technique |
Debride to bleeding tissue for decubitus ulcer. |
| Comments |
- |
| Deep wound |
| Preparation |
Cleanse surrounding skin with antiseptic. |
| Type, Number or Volume |
Pus, fluid (1ml). |
| Container or Transport Device |
Syringe, culturette, or anaerobic transport device. |
| Technique |
Swab or aspirate deeply. |
| Comments |
Suitable for anaerobic culture. |
| Closed abscess |
| Preparation |
Cleanse with antiseptic. |
| Type, Number or Volume |
Pus (1ml, if possible) |
| Container or Transport Device |
Syringe or anaerobic container. |
| Technique |
Aspirate directly into syringe. |
| Comments |
Suitable for anaerobe culture. |
| Cellulitis |
| Preparation |
Cleanse with antiseptic. |
| Type, Number or Volume |
Fluid. |
| Container or Transport Device |
Syringe. |
| Technique |
Aspirate directly into syringe; if no fluid, instill sterile saline and aspirate saline. |
| Comments |
Sample at edge of lesion. Anesthetic of little value and may inhibit growth of bacteria. |
| Tissue |
| Preparation |
Surgical removal. |
| Type, Number or Volume |
1cm3, if possible. |
| Container or Transport Device |
Anaerobic container. |
| Technique |
Put in anaerobic container. |
| Comments |
Do not add fluid. |