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Culture, Aerobic and Anaerobic

Supply 141902 Amies Gel Swab

Test Code: 4446

CPT Code(s): 87070, 87075, 87205

Clinical Significance: Deep wound/abscess infections are often caused by a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.

Includes Aerobic culture, Anaerobic culture and Gram stain. If culture is positive, identification will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87076 and/or 87077 or 87140 or 87143 or 87147 or 87149). Antibiotic susceptibilities are only performed when appropriate (CPT code(s): 87181 or 87184 or 87185 or 87186).

Methodology: Direct Microscopy • Bacterial Culture • Aerobic and Anaerobic Isolation

Reference Range(s): No growth

Alternative Name(s): Abscess Culture, Body Fluid Culture

Collection Guide: 

Supply: 141902 Amies Gel Swab

Tissues and fluids are superior to a swab specimen. If swabs must be used, collect 2 transport swabs with Amies gel (blue cap), one for culture and one for gram stain.

Specimens not listed as acceptable may be processed for anaerobic culture only after consultation with a DLO microbiology scientific director. Purulent sterile body fluids not submitted in an anaerobic transport tube may be accepted for culture if received within 8 hours of collection.

Preferred Specimen(s) 3 mL or 3 grams abscess or deep wound, normally sterile body fluids other than blood, bronchoscopic specimens obtained by the double lumen brush technique, suprapubic urine aspirates obtained from bladder, nephrostomy tube or suprapubic catheterization, aspirated pus from deep wound or abscess or tympanocentesis fluid, genital specimens from these sites only: cul-de-sac aspiration, culdocentesis- percutaneous transfundal aspiration, fallopian tube

Surgical specimens, exudates, collected in Amies gel (blue- cap)

Instructions Tissues and fluids are superior to a swab specimen. If swabs must be used, collect 2 anaerobic transport swabs, one for culture and one for gram stain or submit one anaerobic transport swab with one air dried smear. Specimens not listed as acceptable may be processed for anaerobic culture only after consultation with a DLO Microbiology Scientific Director. Purulent sterile body fluids not submitted in an anaerobic transport tube may be accepted for culture if received within 8 hours of collection.

Transport container Transport swab with Amies gel (blue-cap)

Transport temperature Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen stability 2 swabs in Amies gel - 2 days

Reject criteria
  • Specimens not submitted in anaerobic transport media/device
  • Expired transport media
  • Throat, nasopharyngeal, sputum or bronchoscopic specimens
  • Specimens not collected by double lumen brush technique
  • Stool and rectal swabs
  • Urine-voided or catheter
  • Vaginal and cervical swabs
  • Specimens from sites contaminated with intestinal contents
  • Superficial or fresh wounds
  • External ear
  • External eye
  • Intrauterine device
  • Tracheal aspirates

For additional supply or collection device information, please contact DLO's Customer Service at (800) 891-2917, option 2.

The CPT codes provided are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed.

Infectious Disease
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