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Test Code EYE CX Culture, Eye

Methodology

Presumptive and definitive identification of microorganisms by Gram stain and colony morphology growth on selective media and biochemical panels.

Includes susceptibilities as needed at an additional charge.

Because potential pathogens may be present in an eye without causing infection, it may be very helpful to the clinician, when only 1 eye is infected, to culture both eyes. If a potential pathogen grows in cultures of the infected and uninfected eye, the organism may not be causing the infection. However, if the organism only grows in culture from the infected eye, it is most likely the causative agent.

Performing Laboratory

Sky Lakes Medical Center-Microbiology

Specimen Requirements

Both eyes should be cultured.

 

Specimen source is required.

 

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Specimen Type: Conjunctivitis specimen-lower conjunctival sac and inner canthus of eye

Container/Tube: Sterile swab in sterile culture transport tube

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions: 

1. Using swab, collect purulent material from surface of lower conjunctival sac and inner canthus of eye.
2. Return swab to sterile culture transport tube.
3. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number or date of birth, specimen source, and date and time of collection.

4. As with other cultures, administration of antibiotics prior to culture may make recovery of pathogens difficult to impossible.

 

Specimen Type: Keratitis specimen-corneal scrapings

Container/Tube: Blood, chocolate, or fungal agar

Specimen Volume: Entire collection

Collection Instructions:

1. An ophthalmologist should obtain scrapings of cornea with a heat-sterilized, platinum spatula.

2. Inoculations are typically made to blood, chocolate, or fungal agar at time of specimen collection.
3. Label specimen with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number or date of birth, specimen source, and date and time of collection.

4. As with other cultures, administration of antibiotics prior to culture may make recovery of pathogens difficult to impossible.

Specimen Transport Temperature

Ambient

Reference Values

Eye cultures may occasionally show normal skin flora.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87070-Culture
87205-Gram stain