Specimen Collection Information

Transport specimen to laboratory as soon as possible.

Fresh tissue (5–10 mm) or body fluid (1–1.5 mL) should be collected for microbial culture. E-swab specimens are acceptable only for tissue collection when biopsy is not feasible. They must not be used for body fluid collection under any circumstances. All body fluid specimens must be submitted in sterile, leak-proof containers. A separate tissue or body fluid specimen must be submitted for mycobacterial culture, as it requires distinct handling and processing protocols.

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) yields limited material and may not meet the minimum tissue volume (5–10 mm) required for optimal culture sensitivity. Core needle biopsy is preferred for microbiologic evaluation of deep tissue infections.

Bone samples frequently arrive as small fragments. While acceptable, larger tissue pieces (≥5 mm) enhance sensitivity and improve pathogen recovery.