Mycoplasma/ureaplasma

Genital swabs
○ Collect specimens from the male or female urethra or female cervix by inserting a urethral swab at least 1 cm into the orifice and rotating it 360 degrees. After collection of swab specimen, swirl swab in a vial containing transport medium, express excess fluid by pressing the swab against the inside of the vial, and then discard swab
○ Collect vaginal swab by swabbing back and forth over the vaginal mucosa to maximize recovery of cells.

Endometrial/placental swabs
○ Rotate sterile swab over surface between amnion and chorion membranes if placental swab, or endometrial/uterine surface if an endometrial swab. Place in transport medium

Aspirates/fluids
○ Collect aspirates using a sterile needle and dispense into a clean sterile container.

Blood
○ A set of blood cultures consists of two BacT/Alert bottles, one for aerobic and the other for anaerobic culture taken from a single venipuncture site. For infants, a single aerobic BacT/Alert PF bottle is required
○ Clean over the proposed site (an area with a diameter of about 5cm) using 2% chlorhexidine with 70% alcohol swabs for 30 sec and allow the site to air dry (usually about 10 sec). Do not palpate or touch the cleaned site with non-sterile gloves after cleaning

○ Remove the protective plastic cap from each BacT/Alert bottle and disinfect the rubber septum with 70% alcohol for 10 sec and allow it to air dry before proceeding. Collect blood using a syringe to assure that the appropriate volume is collected.
○ For adults, collect 20 mL of blood for each blood culture draw. Expel all air from the syringe and aseptically inject 10 mL into the BacT/Alert FAN aerobic bottle and 10 mL in the BacT/Alert FAN anaerobic bottle. Do not overfill the bottles

Products of conception swab
○ Rotate sterile swab over surface between amnion and chorion membranes. Place in transport medium

Urine
○ Clean urethral meatus. Collect 10 - 20 mL of first-voided urine into a clean, sterile container.

In and Out catheter / catheter insertion urine (women only):
○ Collect urine into a clean, sterile container immediately following the initial insertion of an indwelling catheter into the bladder.

Nasal/endotracheal aspirates
○ Connect mucus trap (Luken’s trap) to suction pump and catheter. Insert end of catheter through external nares to posterior pharynx. Apply suction, slowly withdraw catheter so it is only in nasopharynx for 10s. Flush material out of catheter with small volume of sterile saline (1-1.5 mL).
○ For endotracheal aspirates, collect aspirated material using a NEW sterile catheter or in-line catheter and aspirate material from the trachea using a syringe or suction device