R/O Actinomyces Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity

General Information

Lab Name

r/o Actinomyces culture

Lab Code

ACTINC

Epic Ordering

Actinomyces Culture

Description

Test is for rule out anaerobic Actinomyces only. If full bacterial or fungal cultures are also needed, order additional separate cultures appropriate for specimen source.

Synonyms

Abscess Anaerobic Culture, Anaerobic Wound Culture, Wound Anaerobic Culture

Components

Code	Name
SDES	Specimen Description
SREQ	Special Requests
CULT	Culture
RPT	Report Status

Interpretation

Method: Conventional culture techniques.

Cultures are examined after 48 hours of anaerobic incubation and thereafter (maximum of 14 days) for the presence of organisms that have characteristic colonial and Gram-stain morphologies. Definitive identification is made using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry or 16S rRNA sequencing.
Reference Range: See individual components

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type: Tissue, biopsy, aspirate, abscess fluid, CSF, Intrauterine device (IUD), Bronchoalveolar lavage (UW and NWH only)
Collection: Abscess fluid/aspirate: Remove surface exudate. Collect fluid in syringe, expel air, remove needle and replace with Luer tip cap. Transtracheal aspirate: collect specimen avoiding upper respiratory mucosa.

Tissue/biopsy: Surgical specimen in sterile container.

Swab (less optimal): Preferred method of transport is ESwab. Gel swab is acceptable.

UW-MT and UW-NW only: BAL also acceptable.

Specimens will be rejected if received >24 hours after collection. Viability of organisms is significantly reduced after 24 hours.

Unacceptable: Refrigerated or frozen samples; specimens collected in Universal Transport Medium (UTM); specimens collected with expired swabs/transport media.
Handling Instructions: Send to lab within 2 hours. To reduce oxygen exposure, collect in syringe not cup. Remove needle, expel air from syringe and cap. If a swab MUST be used, transport to lab immediately. Specify exact source. Transport at room temperature as cold temperature reduces the viability of anaerobes.
Quantity: requested: Fluid/aspirate or BAL: >1 mL; Biopsy: 0.5-1 cm diameter tissue; Swab in transport media
minimum: Fluid/aspirate or BAL: 1 mL; Biopsy: 0.2 cm diameter tissue; Swab in transport media

Processing

Processing: Specimens are inoculated onto anaerobic media, and incubated under anaerobic conditions.

Performance

LIS Dept Code

Microbiology (MC)

Performing Location(s)

HMC	Microbiology 206-744-5858 325 9th Ave, Rm # GWH-47, Seattle, WA 98104-2420
UW-MT	Microbiology 206-520-4600 Clinical Lab, Room # NW177, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific street, Seattle, WA 98195

Other Locations/Notes

UW-MT Microbiology performs testing for UW-MT and UW-NW.

Frequency

Processed upon receipt

Available STAT?

Billing & Coding

CPT codes: 87075
LOINC: 9816-0
Interfaced Order Code: UOW1745