EYE (AEROBIC) CULTURE

Corneal scrapings, Conjunctival scrapings, Intraocular fluid, Vitreous/aqueous humour, Contact lens, Contact lens case.

Inoculated specimens on blood agar (BAP) and/or chocolate agar (CHOC) plates.

• Specimen should reach the Microbiology Laboratory within 2 hours of collection.
• If delay in transportation cannot be avoided, please keep specimens at 2 to 8°C.

Culture

Negative:
“No bacterial growth”
“No growth of pathogens”

Positive:
Identification of probable pathogen(s)

Negative: 2 – 4 Days

Positive: 3 – 5 Days*
*Depending on the number and type of organism(s) isolated

Daily

• For swab specimens, requests for gram stain and culture cannot be ordered on a single swab.
• Inoculated specimens, on respective media, must be transported immediately to the laboratory after inoculation.

Specimens inoculated on culture media that is not BAP and/or CHOC.