Microbiology

SAMPLE TYPE: Throat swab (pharyngeal swab) — collected from the posterior pharynx and tonsillar areas. Swab in appropriate transport medium (e.g., Amies transport medium with or without charcoal, or equivalent bacterial transport system). SAMPLE COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS: Ask patient to tilt head back and open mouth wide; use a tongue depressor to visualize the posterior pharynx Using a sterile swab, firmly swab both tonsillar pillars, posterior pharynx, and any areas of exudate, ulceration, or erythema Avoid touching the tongue, teeth, cheeks, or uvula to prevent contamination If a peritonsillar abscess is present, swab the area of maximum fluctuance Label specimen with patient ID, date, time, and collection site Patient should ideally not have eaten, drunk, or used oral antiseptics immediately before collection SAMPLE HANDLING: Transport swab in appropriate transport media promptly to the laboratory at refrigerated (preferred if processing delay is expected) or room temperature. Notify the laboratory in advance if Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Corynebacterium diphtheriae is suspected, as special media may be required

Patient preparation: N / A Sample type: STOOL Container/ preservative: Clean, leak proof container Sample volume: 10 grams

5gm fresh stool in a clean, dry, sterile, leak-proof stool container (no preservatives)

Sample type: Intact parasite (worm / arthropod / larva / segment) to be submitted at room temperature in 70% ethanol in a sealed, rigid, leak-proof container. Submit entire specimen when possible. Provide clinical history and specimen source (e.g. skin, eye, stool etc.) Precautions: Avoid damage to the specimen. Do NOT freeze.

An entire collection of semen in a sterile container. Deliver promptly at room or body temperature. Collection time must be captured. NB: Done for walk-in clients only.

50gms stool in a sterile container. Test component: CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE GLUTAMATE DEHYDROGENASE (GDH) ANTIGEN.

10g stool in leak proof container; This test is NOT to be outsourced outside Scanlab (can be done at central lab)

SAMPLE TYPE: Variable including nail clippings, skin scrapings, hair. OTHER INSTRUCTIONS: If culture is required, this must be specifically ordered. Cut hair is not ideal for testing; the root of the hair is required. Skin scrapings can be obtained using the blunt edge of a scalpel; target the active (outermost) border of the lesion.

Discharge on sterile swab in Amies transport medium.

Various sample types may be submitted for this test e.g. sputum, ascitic fluid, pericardial fluid, tissue etc. Exact sample/ fluid type must be specified.