Bacterial cultures & sensitivities – Wounds

Alternative Names/Synonyms	C&S wound culture
Laboratory	Microbiology
Sub-section	Bacteriology
Specimen Type	○ Wound/abscess aspirate/drainage ○ Wound/abscess swabs

Clinical Significance

Culture-based detection and identification of bacteria causing wound infections

Specimen Requirements (Tube Type)

○ Sterile container (min volume 5 mL or 1 gram)
○ ESwab (Liquid Amies Elution Swab)

Collection Requirements

Wound aspirate
○ Decontaminate skin, collect aspirate of wound using a syringe and needle. Dispense aspirated fluid into sterile container

Wound swab
○ Decontaminate the skin with alcohol. Firmly sample the base or margin of the lesion with a swab or sample the exudate.

Facial/oral abscess swab
○ Swab surface suspected of infection with pre-moistened sterile swab. Specimens should be collected in either an anaerobic transport container or Amies transport medium.

Sample Stability

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery

Referral Laboratory

In-house

Routine Turnaround Time

○ Up to 72 hours

Laboratory Contact Information

416-586-4800 extension 4432

Approval Required

Sample Processing / Delivery

○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal.
○ Transport specimen to UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory at room temperature (20-25˚C) immediately after collection. Store at refrigeration temperature (2-8˚C) if a delay in transport of more than 2h is expected.