Wound Culture

Superficial, Swab culture

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB2111191 (aerobic); LAB233 (anaerobic)

Department

Microbiology

Instructions

• Only an aerobic culture is included as part of this test.
• For tissue specimens, please refer to Tissue Culture.
• For fluid specimens obtained from a sterile site, please refer to Fluid Culture.
• If anaerobic infection is suspected and the swab is collected from a protected space (deep wound, surgical site, unroofed vesicle), also order Anaerobic Culture [LAB233]. If possible, fluid or tissue should be collected instead to enhance recovery of both aerobic and anaerobic organisms.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Tissue or fluid is always superior to a swab specimen.

Collect: ESwab. ESwabs are superior to traditional swabs for specimen collection, transport stability, and culture inoculation. Alternate swabs are accepted at the discretion of the laboratory director. Wooden or calcium alginate swabs are not acceptable.

To minimize contamination, it is important to cleanse the wound to remove superficial debris by thorough irrigation and cleansing with non-bacteriostatic sterile saline. Insert the tip of the swab into the depths of the wound/lesion and gently rotate the tip of the swab in the wound for 5 seconds. Apply enough pressure to express fluid from the wound tissue. Place the swab in transport media and send to the laboratory.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Place specimens in a transport system immediately and maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport. Do not refrigerate the specimen if anaerobic culture is also ordered.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Specimen in a sterile collection container or an ESwab, at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).

Rejection Criteria

• Specimens submitted in a container with formalin or that has ever contained formalin.
• Specimens in non-sterile or leaking containers. 
• Desiccated (dry) samples.

Inpatient Specimen Preparation

Transport specimen to the Laboratory immediately after collection.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): ESwab: 48 hours; other transport systems: 24 hour
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): ESwab: 48 hours (not acceptable for anaerobic culture)
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 4 days
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) – Genital sources: 7 days

Laboratory

Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Preliminary results available within 48 hours. 

Reference Range

Skin microbiota may be isolated.

Test Methodology

Gram stain, aerobic culture, identification and susceptibility testing (if indicated).

Interpretation

The recovery of aerobic bacteria from an appropriate, properly collected specimen may be indicative of an infectious disease process.

Reflex Testing

Mold obtained from bacterial cultures will be reflexed to the Mycology Laboratory for identification (sterile sites only).

Clinical Utility

This test is used to recover and identify aerobic bacteria that may be involved in human infections.

Reference

1. Baron, E.J. and Thomson, Jr., R.B. 2011. Specimen Collection, Transport, and Processing: Bacteriology, pg. 228-272. James Versalovic, Editor-in-Chief. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 10^th edition. ASM Press. Washington, D.C., p. 228-272.
2. Linscott, A.J., 2010. Specimen Collection, Transport, and Acceptability. Clinical Microbiology Procedure Handbook, 3^rd Edition. Garcia, L.S. (ed), ASM Press. Washington, D.C., p. 51-80.
3. York, M.K., Sharp, S.E., Bowler, P.C., and Church, D.L., 2010. Wound/Abscess and Soft Tissue Cultures. Clinical Microbiology Procedure Handbook, 3^rd Edition. Garcia, L.S. (ed), ASM Press. Washington, D.C., p. 440-457.

CPT Codes

87070

Contacts

Last Updated

11/3/2025