Aerobic Culture and Gram Stain

CPT Code(s):
87070, 87205

Turnaround Time:
48 hours

Specimen Requirements

Preferred Specimen:
Wounds, Abscess, Aspirates or Drainage

Minimum Volume:
0.5 mL (or 1 swab)

Transport Container:
BBL Swab with Aimes gel

Transport Temperature:
Room Temperature

Collection Instructions:
Swab the infected area or exudates using proper collection technique. Do not send syringe with needle.

Rejection Criteria:
Specimen received in grossly leaking transport media. Expired transport media. Improper labeling. Frozen.

Stability Criteria

Room Temperature:
48 hours

Refrigerated:
7 days

Frozen:
Unacceptable

Clinical Significance

Aerobic Culture and Gram Stain hold specific clinical significance and diagnostic use in the field of microbiology and infectious disease. These tests are commonly performed together to identify and characterize bacterial infections in patients.

Aerobic Culture and Gram Stain have the following clinical significance and diagnostic uses:

1. Identification of Bacterial Infections: Aerobic Culture involves culturing patient specimens in an oxygen-rich (aerobic) environment to isolate and identify bacteria responsible for infections. This test helps determine the specific bacterial species causing the infection, providing essential information for targeted treatment.

2. Rapid Preliminary Assessment: Gram Stain is a rapid and preliminary diagnostic tool performed on the clinical specimen before the culture results are available. It involves staining the bacteria with crystal violet dye and examining them under a microscope. Gram Stain helps classify bacteria into Gram-positive or Gram-negative, providing initial information about the nature of the infection and guiding treatment decisions.

3. Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing: Once the bacteria are identified through the Aerobic Culture, antibiotic susceptibility testing is performed to guide appropriate treatment. This test determines the effectiveness of different antibiotics against the isolated bacteria, assisting healthcare providers in selecting the most appropriate antibiotic regimen.

4. Infection Management and Control: The results from Aerobic Culture and Gram Stains play a crucial role in managing and controlling infections. They guide healthcare providers in choosing the right antibiotics, adjusting treatment plans, implementing infection control measures, and preventing the spread of infections within healthcare settings.

5. Guidance for Empirical Therapy: In cases where immediate treatment is required before culture results are available, Gram Stain provides preliminary information on the type of bacteria present. This information guides healthcare providers in selecting empirical antibiotic therapy, ensuring prompt treatment initiation and potentially preventing complications.

6. Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance: Aerobic Culture and Gram Stains contribute to the surveillance and monitoring of antimicrobial resistance patterns. By identifying bacterial species and determining their susceptibility to antibiotics, these tests aid in understanding and tracking the emergence of resistant strains, facilitating appropriate antimicrobial stewardship efforts.

In summary, Aerobic Culture and Gram Stains are clinically significant in microbiology and infectious disease diagnostics. Together, they provide essential information for identifying bacterial infections, determining antibiotic susceptibility, guiding treatment decisions, managing and controlling infections, and monitoring antimicrobial resistance. These tests play a critical role in effective diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of bacterial infections, ultimately improving patient outcomes.