Ear culture, external (Calgary/South)
- Test Name:
- Ear culture, external (Calgary/South)
- Organism(s)/Disease(s):
-
Haemophilus influenzae
Moraxella catarrhalis
Otomycosis (fungal infection)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Body Source(s):
-
Ear, external
-
Clinical Prerequisite(s):
-
For swabs deep to the tympanic membrane (middle/inner ear), order as Deep wound culture, swab (Calgary/South)
For sample types other than swab, refer to Fluid culture (Calgary/South) or Tissue culture (Calgary/South), as appropriate
Provision of relevant clinical information is important to ensure a clinically relevant result
Always provide/record:
• specimen source - indicate left or right side
• Indicate if myringotomy tubes are present
• recent/current antibiotic therapy and start date
• clinical history - symptoms and signs, duration
• If filamentous fungi/mold culture required, indicate clearly on requisition - Collection Device/Tube Type:
-
E-swab collection device
Swab in clear transport media
- Collection Instructions:
-
- Use a swab moistened with sterile saline to remove any superficial debris
- Gently roll and rotate the swab over the surface of the affected area, allowing fluid/discharge to collect on the swab
- Carefully place the swab into the collection device without contaminating it
- Handling and Storage:
-
Room temperature
- Rejection Criteria:
-
- Mislabelled or unlabelled specimen or requisition
- No swab in the collection device
- Turnaround Times
- See Microbiology Information»
- Last Reviewed:
- 06 May 2023
