Microbiological tests



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Test name Sample Special instructions
Anthrax 5ml Red Top, pus, nasal swab, sputum, animal products & environmental samples none
Botulism 5ml Red Top & Food none
Plague tests 5ml Red Top, pus, bubo aspirates, sputum, rodents & fleas none
Cholera Surveillance Culture Cholera Cultures none
Typhoid outbreaks Stool and urine none
Diarrhoea outbreaks Water, stools & foods none
Vibrio cholerae Sewer Pads none
Water, stool & rectal swabs none
Cultures none
Leptospirosis 5ml Red Top If marked urgent done on receipt
PCR for C Diptheriae/Shigella/E Coli Culture Plate none
Salmonella serotyping surveillance isolates Culture Plate or Transport Medium none
Shigella/E Coli serotyping surveillance isolates Culture Plate or Transport Medium none
Aspergillus 5ml Red Top none
Amphotericin Level none
CSF Mycology Culture CSF (Cerebro Spinal Fluid) none
Fungal Identification none
Fungal Sensitivity none
Histoplasma 5ml RED TOP none
Mycology for Hair, Skin or Nails Mycology for Hair, Skin or Nails none
Sporotrichosis 5ml RED TOP none
Acanthamoeba Culture Contact the laboratory before taking sample Contact the laboratory before taking sample
Amoeba Microscopy Fresh Stool Specimen of Cyst fluid Stool must reach the laboratory within 30 minutes of sampling
Bilharzia Microscopy Urine/Stool At least 5ml of Urine
Giemsa Stain for Malaria Parasites Purple Top Clotted Blood is unsuitable
Hydatid Hooklets Cyst Fluid, sputum none
Malaria Parasite Count Purple Top Clotted Blood is unsuitable
Microfilaria Investigation Purple Top Blood sampling should be performed at the correct times depending on the filarial species
Microsporidia Investigation Stool Preserve stool in an equal quantity of 10% Formalin
Modified ZN Stain for Stool Stool Preserve stool in an equal quantity of 10% Formalin
P Falciparum Antigen Test Purple Top Clotted Blood is unsuitable
Parasite Identification (Worms or eggs) Worm or Porglottid or Sputum Please submit proglottids in saline. Handle with care, as larvae of Strongyloides and eggs of Taenia may be infective
Pinworm Investigation Sticky tape swab slide Early morning sticky tape swab is the optimal specimen. Handle with care as the eggs may be infective
Pneumocystic IFA Respiratory Specimens Sputum is not Optimal Specimen
Stool Concentration and Microscopy Stool Preserve stool in an equal quantity of 10% Formalin
Trypanosomiasis Blood (Purple Top) or CSF (only if CNS invasion suspected) If possible, arrange with laboratory