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Tissue culture, routine (Calgary/South)
Test Name:
Tissue culture, routine (Calgary/South)
Body Source(s):
Cartilage
Grafts
Homograft
Tissue - any site
Tissue - curettings
Tissue - lymph node
Tissue - polyp
Tissue, biopsy
Vegetation
Clinical Prerequisite(s):
Provision of relevant, clinical information is important to ensure a clinically, relevant result
Always provide:
• specimen source
• current antibiotic therapy, start date, route, and dose
• clinical history - symptoms and start date

Note:  Clearly indicate on requisition or ConnectCare order, if the specimen is associated with prosthetic material, hardware, or implanted device
•  Use checklist when collecting intra-operative specimens for diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection

Refer to the following for more specific test information:
Bone specimens:  Bone culture (Calgary/South)
Bone marrow specimens:  Bone marrow culture (Calgary/South)
If fungal culture is required, refer to:  Fungal culture (Calgary/South)
If mycobacterial culture is required, refer to the APL test directory

Collection Device/Tube Type:
60 mL sterile, plastic specimen container
Anaerobic transport system (PRAS or equivalent)
Comments:
Specimen Requirement(s):
Collect a large enough tissue sample (3-4 mm biopsy sample) to perform all the tests required

For diagnosis of prosthetic joint infections (PJI), collect 5-6 tissue specimens. Place each specimen in a separate container

Collection Instructions:
Collect specimen prior to antimicrobial therapy for greatest diagnostic sensitivity
  1. Collect tissue specimens under aseptic conditions
  2. Avoid any contamination when placing the tissue specimen into the container
  3. Small tissue: Embed tissue into anaerobic transport medium within 5mm from the bottom.
    • Replace and tighten the cap immediately
    Large tissue: Place tissue in a sterile, plastic container - on sterile gauze
    • Moisten with non-bacteriostatic saline
  4. For multiple specimen collections, ensure each specimen container has a corresponding requisition

For prosthesis-related specimens:

  1. Sharp dissection is recommended for excision rather than cautery
  2. Collect 5 to 6 tissues, each 3-4 mm in size.  DO NOT send swabs
  3. Each tissue to be collected from different suspected area - ideally from the inter-surface membrane
  4. Use different instruments for each tissue to avoid cross-contamination
  5. Place each tissue sample in a separate container
    • Cover with preservative-free saline
  6. Each tissue sample requires a separate requisition

Note:

  1. Tissue biopsy/samples should be collected from areas within and adjacent to the area of infection
  2. Tissue submitted in a dry, sterile container is sub-optimal and will compromise the recovery of fastidious organisms
Handling and Storage:
*Room Temperature
DO NOT refrigerate
Handling/Storage Comments:
Transport to the testing laboratory as soon as possible after collection
Rejection Criteria:
  • Specimen submitted in an unsterile container
  • Specimen submitted in formalin

Turnaround Times
See Microbiology Information»

Last Reviewed:
06 May 2023