Culture, Body Fluid

Test Code: TD_6107
CPT Code(s): 87070

$20

Test Details

Alternative Name(s)

BF culture

Test Includes

Culture, Body Fluid

Methodology

Standard culture methodology

Rejection Criteria

Samples in viral transport media
Swabs collected more than 2 days prior to submission
Dry swabs, non-sterile or leaking containers
Expired transport media
Frozen samples
Samples in fixative (formalin)
Swabs not submitted in transport media
Specimens submitted in tissue paper
Body fluid submitted in blood collection tubes with additives or gel separator

Reference Range(s)

No growth

Specimen Requirements

Preferred Specimen

Sterile container

Minimum Volume

0.2 mL body fluid

Sample Stability

Room temperature: eswab 48 hours: for optimal recovery of neisseria gonorrhoeae, submit within 24 hours.
Other transport media: 48 hours. For optimal reccovery of fastidious organisms such as neisseria gonorrhoeae, neisseria meningitidis, haemophilus influenzae submit within 24 hours.
Sterile container with body fluid or tissue: 24 hours sterile container received between 24-48 hours after collection will be reported with the following comment: “specimens were not received into laboratory within 24 hours. Some organisms may have significant loss of viability. Recollection should be considered.”
Refrigerated: eswab 48 hours: for optimal recovery of neisseria gonorrhoeae, submit within 24 hours and at room temperature.
Other transport media: 48 hours. For optimal recovery of fastidious organisms such as neisseria gonorrhoeae, neisseria meningitidis, haemophilus influenzae submit within 24 hours and at room temperature.
Sterile container with body fluid or tissue: 24 hours sterile container received between 24-48 hours after collection will be reported with the following comment: “specimens were not received into laboratory within 24 hours. Some organisms may have significant loss of viability. Recollection should be considered.”
Frozen: unacceptable

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Collection Instructions

1 mL body fluid (eg, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, joint fluid) in sterile collection container. Specimen source must be provided. Delays may occur if sources are not provided. Room temperature.
Do not use this code for sources from wounds, abscess, genital, stool, urine, eye,ear, upper and lower respiratory specimens.
Note: Anaerobe culture not included with this order. Anaerobic culture is recommended for body fluids. If anaerobe needed, please add 6010 for non prosthetic joint sources. For prosthetic joint cultures, it is recommended to add a 14 day anaerobic culture for the optimal recovery of cutibacterium (propionibacterium) acnes. Please order 6137.

Alternative Specimen

Eswab inoculated with infected fluid from body fluid (eg, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, joint fluid). Bacterial culture transport swab collected in amies liquid, amies gel, liquid stuarts or equivalents. Syringe with needle removed. Blood culture bottle inoculated with fluid (Note: gram stain cannot be performed).