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Test Code LAB465 Genital Culture

Performing Lab

Arnot Ogden Medical Center

Ordering Recommendations

Detection and identification of bacterial agents of genital tract infections.

Collect

  • E swab or Culturette Swab of cervix, endocervix, endometrium, vagina, labia, placenta, uterus, penis, scrotum, or urethra.
  • Prostatic secretion
  • IUD
  • Semen

*MUST indicate on swab the specimen source

Stability (from collection to initiation)

  • Swab specimens must be received in the laboratory within 48 hours of collection.
  • Other specimens must be transported ASAP.

Storage/Transport Temperature

Room Temperature

Methodology

Conventional Culture

Start Date

9/13/2017

Last Review Date

6/23/2025

Specimen Handling

Room Temperature

Collection Instructions

Vagina: 

  • Wipe away excessive amounts of secretions or discharge.
  • Obtain secretions from the mucosal membrane of the vaginal vault with a sterile E swab or culturette swab.

Cervix:

  • Visualize the cervix using a speculum without lubricant.
  • Remove mucus and secretions from the cervix with swab and discard.
  • Firmly but gently sample the endocervical canal with a sterile E swab or culturette swab.

Genital Lesion:

  • Clean the lesion with sterile saline and remove the lesions surface with a sterile scalpel blade.  Allow transudate to collect.
  • firmly sample the transudate with a sterile E swab or culturette swab.

Urethra (female):

  • Collect at least 1 hour after patient has urinated.
  • Remove exudates from the urethral orifice.
  • Collect dishcharge material on a swab by massaging urethra against the pubic symphysis though the vagina.

Urethra (male):

  • Insert a minitip swab 2 to 4cm into the urethral lumen. 
  • Rotate swab then leave in place for at least 2 seconds.
  • Remove swab.

Bartholin's gland:

 

  • Pus from gland abscess can sometimes be collected from the bartholin's ducts with digital palpation.
  • Otherwise, material can be aspirated by needle and syringe.

Endometrium:

  • Specimens are best collected by suction curette.  They should not be collected through the cervix with an unprotected swab because they will be contaminated with normal endogenous flora.

PID:

  • Specimens should be collected by invasive techniques.
  • Peritoneal fluid may be collected from the cul-de-sac by aspiration through the posterior vaginal vault.
  • Material taken directly from the fallopian tubes or ovaries is collected surgically.

IUD:

  • The device is removed surgically to prevent cervical or vaginal contamination.
  • Place the entire device, including any exudates, into a sterile container for transport to the lab.

Prostatic Secretions:

  • May be collected by digital massage through the rectum and accompanied by pre- and post- massage urine specimens.

Semen:

  • Ejaculate should be passed into a sterile container.

Remarks

  • Susceptibility testing will be performed on significant isolates.
  • This test should NOT be used to rule out the presence of N.gonorrhoeae. Although N. gonorrhoeae may be recovered from this type of specimen collection and culture, N. gonorrhoeae is best recovered by bedside media inoculation and/or molecular techniques.
  • Special culture techniques are required for the recovery of pathogens such as C. trachomatis, Ureaplasma ureolyticum, C. granulomatis, Mycoplasma, HSV, and anaerobes. Those organisms will not be recovered in this test.
  • Campylobacter fetus, an agents of salpingitis, will not be recovered with this procedure.

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