Aerobic Bacteria

Containers should be sterile and of such size and shape as to make collection convenient, with sufficient opening to preclude contamination of the samples. They should have tight fitting caps or lids to prevent leakage or contamination during transport. Specimens should be collected with a minimum of contamination from adjacent tissues, organs, or secretions. Whenever possible, needle aspiration and catheter samples are preferred. If a sample is collected in a syringe, it may be submitted "as is," provided it is protected by another container.

Swabs that contain mostly pus often provide no-growth on cultures, due to the toxic effect of the white blood cells on bacteria. The most productive specimens are obtained by swabbing deep into an infected wound or obtaining fluids from an actively infected tissue. Specimens should be refrigerated until pick up and transported with a cold pack.