Microorganisms play a major role in both acute and chronic eye conditions. To successfully recover offending organisms, it is necessary to know the clinical syndrome and site of infection. Not evaluated for Chlamydia.
For Chlamydia Eye cultures- TEST ID: MCTGC on an Aptima collection device- Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Miscellaneous Sites, Nucleic Acid Amplification-Mayo clinical labs. https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/43721#Specimen
Specimen Type
.Eye
Container
Eswab
Collection Instructions
Conjunctiva-Obtain specimen with a swab (ESwab) insert in transport container. Culture each eye with a separate swab. Order Gram stain if required. (Premade smears could be submitted for Gram-stain) Corneal Scrapings-Ophthalmologist should obtain corneal scrapings using a sterile platinum spatula and inoculate directly to culture media. Vitreous fluid -is collected surgically and injected into an ESwab . Periorbital tissue Culture-Cleanse skin with iodophor or tincture of iodine, in the absence of an open wound, make a stab incision in the lid and collect purulent material with needle and syringe. Inject into an ESwab. Lacrimal gland / Sac infection/ lacrimal canaliculus- Collect purulent material using a swab (ESwab) and insert in transport container or inoculate directly onto culture media for transport. Press lacrimal sac to remove exudate material for culture and smear. Alternatively collect exudate in needle and syringe and Inject into an ESwab for transport. *Transport all above to Northwell Health Laboratories – Little Neck Parkway at room temperature as soon as possible. Culture each eye with a separate swab. Corneal Rims – Order as C TIS--Corneal rims, from donor of corneal transplants, are inoculated directly into Thioglycolate Broth by the physician. Transport immediately to the Northwell Health Laboratories – Little Neck Parkway.
Transport Instructions
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
48 hours room temperature / Transport to the lab as soon as possible /Do not refrigerate.
Methodology
Culture. Gram stain included.
Days Performed
Performing Laboratory
Northwell Health Laboratories If culture is positive, additional charge(s)/CPT code(s) may apply for identification and/or antibiotic susceptibilities performed when appropriate.
