Should be submitted using a bacterial culturette containing transport medium specifically designed to support anaerobic organisms. These swabs typically contain gel and may also contain charcoal. Please see the manufacturer’s product information. This media is also available from the VDL upon request. Please call 517.353.1683 to place an order. Ship overnight on ice.

Samples should be submitted in blood culture bottles. This media is available from the VDL upon request. Please call 517.353.1683 to place an order.

Samples should be submitted in Cary-Blair transport medium. This media is available from the VDL upon request. Please call 517.353.1683 to place an order.

Ship fecal samples in a leakproof container. Please wrap primary container in a sealable bag to help contain the sample if damaged during shipment. Refrigerate until shipping. Ship overnight on ice.

Should be submitted using a bacterial culturette containing transport medium (eg. Amies, Stuart’s). Refrigerate until shipping. Ship overnight on ice.

Sample the wound at the leading edge of the infection (where there is both healthy and infected tissue present). Place in a sterile tube containing 0.5 mL of sterile normal saline. Refrigerate until shipping. Ship overnight on ice.

Place in a sterile container. Refrigerate until shipping. Ship overnight on ice.

The literature is pretty clear on this one; samples collected by cystocentesis are the best samples to culture for an accurate picture of the bacterial flora of the bladder. However samples collected by catheterization or free-catch can be used. It is particularly important that you indicate the method of urine collection on the submittal form as we set up the culture and interpret the culture results differently based on the method of urine collection. Refrigerate until shipping. Ship overnight on ice.