Bacteriology/Mycology
What this test for?
Blood cultures are used to detect the presence of bacteria or fungi in the blood that cause septicemia.
Specimen & Container: Adult: 8 – 10ml blood, inoculated aseptically into aerobic and/or anaerobic bottles. Paediatric: 1 – 4ml into inoculated aseptically into aerobic (yellow top) bottle.
Transportation Requirement: Room temperature and specimen should be delivered to the laboratory promptly after collection.
Test Schedule: Daily
Method: Colorimetric detection (BacT/ALERT 3D Blood Culture System)
Turnaround Time: 5 working days
Laboratory Request Form: Microbiology Form
What this test for?
A test is used to detect infectious organisms in the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF).
Specimen & Container: CSF collected aseptically into a sterile, non-leaking collection container.
Transportation Requirement: Room temperature and specimen should be delivered to the laboratory promptly after collection.
Test Schedule: Daily
Method: Culture (Sensitivity is provided if pathogenic bacteria are isolated).
Turnaround Time: 3 working days
Laboratory Request Form: Microbiology Form
What this test for?
A test is used to identify the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae that cause a gonorrhea infection.
Specimen & Container: Swab with amies transport medium (urethral / endocervical / HVS / eye).
Transportation Requirement: Room temperature and specimen should be delivered to the laboratory promptly after collection.
Test Schedule: Daily
Method: Culture (Sensitivity is provided if pathogenic bacteria are isolated).
Turnaround Time: 3 working days
Laboratory Request Form: Microbiology Form
What this test for?
A test is used to determine if fungi are present.
Specimen & Container: (1) Pus / tissue / fluid / skin scrapings / hair / nail clippings in sterile, non-leaking collection container. (2) Swab with amies transport medium.
Transportation Requirement: Room temperature and specimen should be delivered to the laboratory promptly after collection.
Test Schedule: Daily
Method: Culture
Turnaround Time: 14 working days
Laboratory Request Form: Microbiology Form
What this test for?
A test is used to test for the presence of candidiasis infection, bacterial vaginosis and pathogenic bacteria.
Specimen & Container: Swab with amies transport medium (cervical / endocervical / HVS).
Transportation Requirement: Room temperature and specimen should be delivered to the laboratory promptly after collection.
Test Schedule: Daily
Method: Culture (Sensitivity is provided if pathogenic bacteria are isolated).
Turnaround Time: 3 working days
Laboratory Request Form: Microbiology Form
What this test for?
A test is used to identify the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Specimen & Container: Swab with amies transport medium (axilla / ear / groin / nasal).
Transportation Requirement: Room temperature and specimen should be delivered to the laboratory promptly after collection.
Test Schedule: Daily
Method: Culture (Sensitivity is provided if pathogenic bacteria are isolated).
Turnaround Time: 3 working days
Laboratory Request Form: Microbiology Form
What this test for?
A test is used to identify the common respiratory pathogens.
Specimen & Container: Sputum / tracheal aspirates in a sterile, non-leaking collection container.
Transportation Requirement: Room temperature and specimen should be delivered to the laboratory promptly after collection.
Test Schedule: Daily
Method: Culture (Sensitivity is provided if pathogenic bacteria are isolated).
Turnaround Time: 3 working days
Laboratory Request Form: Microbiology Form
What this test for?
A test is used to identify the pathogenic bacteria causing the infection.
Specimen & Container: (1) Pus / tissue / body fluid / aspirates collected aseptically into sterile, non-leaking collection container. (2) Swab with amies transport medium.
Transportation Requirement: Room temperature and specimen should be delivered to the laboratory promptly after collection.
Test Schedule: Daily
Method: Culture (Sensitivity is provided if pathogenic bacteria are isolated).
Turnaround Time: 3 working days
Laboratory Request Form: Microbiology Form
What this test for?
A test is used to detect the presence of disease-causing pathogenic bacteria and help diagnose an infection of digestive system (gastrointestinal, GI tract).
Specimen & Container: Fresh faecal specimen collected into sterile, non-leaking collection container.
Transportation Requirement: Room temperature and specimen should be delivered to the laboratory promptly after collection.
Test Schedule: Daily
Method: Culture (Sensitivity is provided if pathogenic bacteria are isolated).
Turnaround Time: 3 working days
Laboratory Request Form: Microbiology Form
What this test for?
A test is used to screen for genital tract infections in males.
Specimen & Container: Swab with amies transport medium (urethral).
Transportation Requirement: Room temperature and specimen should be delivered to the laboratory promptly after collection.
Test Schedule: Daily
Method: Culture (Sensitivity is provided if pathogenic bacteria are isolated).
Turnaround Time: 3 working days
Laboratory Request Form: Microbiology Form
What this test for?
A test is used to diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) and to identify the bacteria or yeast causing the infection.
Specimen & Container: Midstream specimen of urine (MSU) / clear catch urine sample into sterile, non-leaking collection container.
Transportation Requirement: Room temperature and specimen should be delivered to the laboratory promptly after collection.
Test Schedule: Daily
Method: Culture (Sensitivity is provided if pathogenic bacteria are isolated).
Turnaround Time: 3 working days
Laboratory Request Form: Microbiology Form
What this test for?
A test is used for the assessment of a patient with a potential catheter-related bloodstream infectio (CRBSI) .
Specimen & Container: Catheter tip collected aseptically into sterile, non-leaking collection container.
Transportation Requirement: Room temperature and specimen should be delivered to the laboratory promptly after collection.
Test Schedule: Daily
Method: Culture (Sensitivity is provided if pathogenic bacteria are isolated).
Turnaround Time: 3 working days
Laboratory Request Form: Microbiology Form