Tissue Culture

Tissue, Aerobic, Anaerobic, Bacteria, Bacterial, Surgical, Biopsy, Bone

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB2111173 (aerobic culture); LAB233 (anaerobic culture)

Department

Microbiology

Instructions

• This test is for invasively collected biopsy samples of deep organs and tissues.
• Do NOT submit swab specimens. They are strongly discouraged due to inadequate specimen volume. Specimens submitted in Eswab containers will be examined for visible tissue and re-ordered as Wound Culture if no tissue is present.
• If anaerobic infection is suspected, additionally order Anaerobic Culture [LAB233].

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: Tissue in a sterile collection container with 0.5 mL of sterile, non-bacteriostatic saline. Alternatively, very small pieces of tissue can be placed on a square of moistened sterile gauze. Very small tissue samples may also be placed in an ESwab transport device.

Collect 5-10 mm³ of tissue from the area(s) with the highest index of suspicion for infection. If very large tissue specimens are submitted, the laboratory will select a section for culture based on visual appearance. Submitting a specimen containing non-sterile areas (e.g. an amputated toe), skin flora will contaminate the specimen container and likely cause false positive culture results.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Arrange for transportation to the Laboratory prior to specimen collection. Courier Services may be contacted for a STAT pickup. Sterile specimens in sterile collection containers must be received in the Laboratory within 24 hours of collection. Maintain specimens at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Tissue specimen at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).

Rejection Criteria

• Specimens submitted in containers with formalin or that have ever contained formalin.
• Swab specimens are strongly discouraged due to inadequate specimen volume. 
• Desiccated (dry) samples. 

Inpatient Specimen Preparation

Transport specimen to the Laboratory immediately after collection or store at room temperature up to 24 hours.

In-Lab Processing

Gram stain will be performed on the specimen.

Most specimens will be ground prior to inoculation of media.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

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

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days

Laboratory

Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory

Performed

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

Reference Range

No organisms recovered.

Test Methodology

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

Interpretation

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

Clinical Utility

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

Reference

1. Ellen Jo Baron and Richard B. Thomson, Jr. Specimen Collection, Transport, and Processing: Bacteriology, pg. 228-272. James Versalovic, Editor-in-Chief. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 10th edition. ASM Press. Washington, D.C., 2011.
2. Lynne S. Garcia, Editor-in-Chief. Section 2 - Specimen Collection, Transport, and Acceptability, pg. 51-80 and Section 3.13.1 - Wound/Abscess and Soft Tissue Cultures, pg. 440-457. Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook, 3rd Edition. ASM Press. Washington, D.C., 2010. 

CPT Codes

87070, 87075 (anerobic culture). 

Contacts

Last Updated

11/3/2025