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HelpTest Code MIC3 Anaerobe Culture
Clinical Information
Diagnosing anaerobic bacterial infections.
Synonym
- ANACX
Specimen Required
Preferred Container/Tube: Sterile Container
Acceptable Container/Tube: eSwab, Sterile Container
Specimen Source: Sterile body fluids, deep abscess content, deep wound aspirates, suprapubic urine aspirates, kidney aspirates, lung tissue or aspirates, sinus tissue or aspirates
Specimen Volume: Fluids 1 mL, Tissues 5 mm
If limited specimen is received, tests will be processed in the following order of priority. Tests unable to be processed will be canceled.
1. Aerobic culture
2. Anaerobic culture
3. Fungal culture
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.
Specimen Stability Information
Ambient:
Sterile Container: 24 hours
eSwab: 2 days
Rejected Due To
- BAL specimens*
- Bronchial Washing*
- Sputum/Tracheal aspirates
- eSwab from oral cavity
- Kidney stones
- Catheterized Urine/Nephrostomy
- Clean catch urine
- Anal lesions/abscesses
- Catheter tips
- Colon aspirates
- Lochia
- Medical devices
- Small intestine aspirates
- Stool
- Superficial tissue or swab collections
*Sources are acceptable if provided appropriate suspected organism
Testing Algorithm
When this test is ordered, the reflex tests may be performed at an additional charge.
Reflex Test
| Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|
| MALDI-TOF | No | No |
Reference Values
No growth
Cautions
Specimens should be collected by needle and syringe aspiration or surgical drainage to avoid contamination with normal-flora anaerobes.
Method Description
Culture
Susceptibility (if appropriate)
Performing Lab
Clinical Lab University East
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
7 to 14 days
Reporting Name
Anaerobe Culture
CPT Code Information
87075
87076 (if appropriate)
LOINC Code Information
11546-9