Special Precautions/Comments:

N.B. Swabs from children 12 years of age and under will receive additional culture investigations as routine. (Code: GENVC).

Interferences: Genital swabs should be kept at room temperature and NOT refrigerated. Refrigeration can significantly impact the recovery of some urogenital associated organisms.

Antibiotics may affect growth of certain bacteria.

Method:  Culture on non-selective and selective media. Isolates will be identified where clear. Where identification is not clear a likely/possible identity will be given until additional tests can be performed to confirm identity. Significant isolates will undergo antibiotic susceptibility testing where appropriate.  Calibration: N/A.  EQA scheme: NEQAS EQA scheme. IQC: Regular resubmission of anonymised patient samples.

Interpretation: Negative cultures will be reported as No growth. Typical/expected flora (including coliforms and pseudomonads) will be reported as normal regional flora, these samples will not receive further identification and testing. Organisms classed as normal regional flora in healthy individuals may be regarded as significant if: the patient presents with endometritis, chorioamnionitis, balanitis, or abscess; where there is evidence of premature rupture of membrane (PROM), intrauterine death (IUD); or if the patient has had recent surgery and is a gynaecology / oncology patient. Please provide relevant clinical details to aid the interpretation of results. Significant isolates will be identified and tested for antibiotic susceptibility. Please note that yeast and fungal isolates will be identified but are not routinely tested for antibiotic susceptibility unless requested by GUM or the Consultant Microbiologist. Clinical comment will be provided where appropriate.

Additional Information: