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Eye culture, invasive (Calgary/South)
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Test Name:
Eye culture, invasive (Calgary/South)
Organism(s)/Disease(s):
Endophthalmitis
Eye infection, critical
Eye infection, invasive
Keratitis
Body Source(s):
Aspirate fluid
Biopsy
Eye, cornea
Eye, cornea/corneal ulcer
Eye, corneal/conjunctival scrapings
Eye, left
Eye, right
Eye, unspecified
Eye, vitreous/aqueous fluid
Lacrimal duct
Lacrimal gland
Other [specify on requisition]
Tissue
Clinical Prerequisite(s):
Provision of relevant, clinical information is important to ensure clinically relevant results
Always provide/report:

•  specimen source
    -  specify corneal scrapings and OS or ODvitreous fluid and OS or OD
•  current antibiotic therapy and start date
•  clinical history - symptoms, signs and their duration
•  Is filamentous fungi/mold culture required?

Also refer to :  Acanthamoeba culture (Calgary/South) and Fungal culture, eye (Calgary/South)

Comments:
Preferred collection device:
Media inoculated directly at bedside

Alternate collection device(s):
Anaerobic transport system (PRAS or equivalent)
Sterile container

Critical Eye Kits/Corneal Scraping bedside Media Kits, and slides are available from Calgary Microbiology at the Diagnostic and Scientific Centre (DSC). 
Contact: APL.CALMicrobiologyInventoryGroup@albertaprecisionlabs.ca

If collecting at Chinook Regional Hospital (Lethbridge), call the Microbiology department at:  403-388-6107 to acquire bedside media kits

Collection Instructions:
Refer to:  Opthalmology Specimen Collection Guidelines for Microbiology Testing

Handling and Storage:
Room temperature
Handling/Storage Comments:
  • Immediately transport ocular specimens to the testing laboratory for processing within 2 hours of collection
  • Critical eye specimens must be inoculated to media within 1 hour of collection if requested STAT
Rejection Criteria:
  • Mislabelled or unlabelled specimen/requisition
  • Non-sterile container

  • Turnaround Times
    See Microbiology Information»
    Comments:
    Swabs (conjunctival or corneal) are not considered critical eye specimens.  Refer to Eye culture, superficial (Calgary/South)

    Last Reviewed:
    08 November 2024

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