Microbiology Specimens

The patient's name and the source of the specimen must be on both the requisition and the specimen. A culture is only as accurate as the method used for collection. Outside microorganisms may contaminate a specimen during each phase of handling. This can lead to misleading or erroneous results. Take care at all times to avoid contamination. Submit promptly for optimal recovery of pathogens. Submit in a leak-proof container at room temperature unless otherwise specified.

Healthcare providers are encouraged to use the ESwab that best fits the specimen source and patient. ESwabs are interchangeable for all cultures in the sections listed below.

Trio of eSwab collection devices in white, green and blue
Order Code Test Name
6007 Culture, Routine
6010 Culture, Anaerobic
6028 Culture, Environmental
6052 Culture, Genital
6012 Culture, MRSA
6036 Culture, Nasopharynx 
6108 Culture, Strep A Screen, Non-Throat
6047 Culture, Strep A Screen, Throat
6079 Culture, Strep B - Pregnancy (vaginal or rectal)
6046 Culture, Throat
6077 Culture, Fungus Non-Blood or Skin
6061 Group A Strep Rapid, Reflex Culture
4591 Influenza A & B Antigen (preferred collection method)
1Not suitable for 6128 Acid Fast Culture, 6130 Acid Fast Smear & Culture, 6126 Acid Fast Smear

Be sure to fill specimen in between lines on vial

2.0mL APtima Urine Specimen transport tube with pipette
Order Code Test Name
5399 Chlamydia, TMA
4335 Chlamydia/Gonorrhea, TMA
5397 Gonorrhea, TMA
3913 Trichomonas, Female
4445 Trichomonas, Male
White 2.9 mL vaginal swab Transport Media with orange label and large swab
Order Code Test Name
3920 Bacterial Vaginosis, PCR (ESwab also acceptable)
3770 Chlamydia/Gonorrhea, Rectal OR Pharyngeal
3755 Chlamydia/Gonorrhea, Rectal AND Pharyngeal
3914 Candida, PCR (ESwab also acceptable)
5249 Chlamydia/Gonorrhea, TMA
3915 HSV I AND II, PCR (ESwab also acceptable)
3910 Trichomonas, TMA
3534 Urogenital Urea/Mycoplasma,PCR (ESwab also acceptable)

Female Endocervical and Male Urethral Sampling Only

White APtima Unisex transport medium, swab included within transport tube
Order Code Test Name
5398 Chlamydia, TMA
5249 Chlamydia/Gonorrhea, TMA
5396 Gonorrhea, TMA
3911 Trichomonas, Female
4445 Trichomonas, Male

Must be stored refrigerated after collection. 

m4RT transport medium for virus with identification sticker
Order Code Test Name
6069 Herpes Simplex Virus, TMA
4591 Influenza A/B Antigen (acceptable collection method)

Must be stored refrigerated after collection. Please contact your local CPL customer service for additional referral tests requiring viral transport media.

m4RT transport medium for virus with identification sticker
Order Code Test Name
6069 B. Pertussis/Parapertussis by PCR
3738 Influenza A/B and RSV by PCR
3795 Respiratory Pathogen Panel by PCR
3534 Urogenital Urea/Mycoplasma, PCR (ESwab also acceptable)
BD Affir-VP ambient temperature transport reagent with tube
Order Code Test Name
2030 Vaginal Pathogens DNA Panel (Candida species, Gardnerella vaginalis and Trichomonas vaginalis)
BD Vacutainer Serum collection device. 10.0mL size with a red top
Order Code Test Name
6110 KOH Prep (Fungal Smear)
6105 Wet Prep (Wet Mount)

Genital swab in 1 mL sterile saline

Sealed sterile container for tissue sample collection 90mL with identifying label

Order Code Test Name
6128 Culture, Acid Fast
6130 Culture, Acid Fast And Smear
6107 Culture, Body Fluid
6077 Culture, Fungus Non-Blood or Skin
6007 Culture, Routine