Version May 2024
| Specimen | Method | Volume | Storage temperature* | Comments | Refer to UpToDate topic review |
| Blood | |||||
| Routine | Blood culture vials | Adults: 20 to 30 mL | 25°C | Obtain 2 to 3 sets | Technique of obtaining blood cultures for the detection of bacteremia |
| Children: 1 to 5 mL | Inoculated vials for direct detection of Candida spp[1] and selected bacteria[2] by molecular amplification methods may be used as a supplement to conventional blood cultures | ||||
| Dimorphic fungi | Lysis centrifugation tube¶ | 10 to 20 mL | 25°C | Lysis centrifugation tubes should be processed within 8 hours Yeasts (eg, Candida) should be detectable using many modern routine media and blood culture systems | |
| Mycobacterial | BacT/ALERT MB, Bactec MycoF/Lytic, VersaTREK Myco, or lysis centrifugation tube¶ | 10 to 20 mL | 25°C | Obtain 1 specimen | |
| Catheter (vascular) | |||||
| Cleanse skin around insertion site with alcohol. Send catheter tip (5 cm) in sterile container. | 4°C | Also obtain 2 peripheral blood cultures | Diagnosis and management of central venous catheter-related infections | ||
| Cerebrospinal fluid | |||||
| Sterile tube | At least 1 to 5 mL per test:
| 4°C | Transport routine cultures at 25°C, viral cultures at 4°C (on ice). Also send extra fluid to store for possible future testing. If volume is limited, prioritize tests requested. Some labs may utilize multiplex polymerase chain reaction for rapid diagnosis.Δ | ||
| Other fluid | |||||
| Peritoneal, pericardial, pleural, synovial | Sterile container or direct inoculation to blood culture vials | At least 1 to 10 mL, but send as much fluid as possible | 4°C | Never send swab dipped in fluid | Joint aspiration or injection: Technique and indications |
* If immediate processing is not possible.
¶ Not commercially available at the time of this update.
Δ Refer to the UpToDate topic on molecular diagnosis of central nervous system infections for additional information.آیا می خواهید مدیلیب را به صفحه اصلی خود اضافه کنید؟
