Nocardia Culture


Abbrev Code:NOCAR   
Order Code:LAB903Order Name:Nocardia Culture
Methodology:Culture
CPT Codes: 87102 x1, 87107 x1
Turnaround Time:Performed 24 hours/day; preliminary reports are updated Mon-Fri. Negative finals are reported at 4 weeks.
Special Instructions:The same specimen may be submitted for aerobic, anaerobic, fungus, and Nocardia cultures even if collected in an anaerobic collection container.


Collection Instructions

Specimen:Pus or exudate with granules is preferred. Alternate: body sites with an abscess like condition, sputum, tissue, body fluid, bronchial and other respiratory sites.
Optimal Volume:Visible material (1-5 mL fluid)
Container:Plastic leakproof container, sterile
Alternate Containers: Syringe, sterile, no needle
Collection Instructions:

Nocardia culture collection technique:

1.   If percutaneous collection, prepare skin as for blood culture.

2.   Aspirate 1-5 mL fluid with sterile syringe and needle.

3.   Expel air bubbles from syringe. Inject sample into sterile container or for an anaerobic culture, into an anaerobic vial. If the vial is not available, replace needle with cap and deliver to the laboratory within 30 minutes of collection.

 

 

Causes for Rejection:Specimen collected with swabs.
Contraindications:Actinomyces species is not detected by this procedure; see Actinomyces Culture.


Processing and Shipping

Specimen Processing:Store in refrigerator.
Shipping Instructions:Ship at room temperature. Must arrive within 24 hours.
Test Performed at or Referral Lab Infectious Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory   (UMMC East Bank)


Interpretive

Reference Range:No growth.
Use:Isolate and identify Nocardia species. (Also detects other aerobic actinomycetes such as Streptomyces species and Actinomadura species.)


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