Anaerobic Culture
Acceptable specimens are : fluid / aspirate / tissue / biopsy. Swab surgically obtained when aspiration is not feasible (must be labelled as "Surgical swab, include anaerobic culture").
Microbiology
Mon - Sun, 0800 - 2400
Gram Stain, same day. Culture, 1-5 days.
Culture
Most anaerobes are slow growing. The presence of most anaerobes can be indicated on preliminary examination of culture after 48 hours incubation. Results are updated on negative cultures at 48 hours and cultures are re-incubated for a further 3 days.
