Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing – Anaerobes
Consistent with O. Reg. 671/92 of the French Language Services Act, laboratory testing information on this page is only available in English because it is scientific or technical in nature and is for use only by qualified health care providers and not by members of the public.
Specimen Requirements
| Test Requested | Required Requisition(s) | Specimen Type | Minimum Volume | Collection Kit |
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing – anaerobes |
Anaerobic susceptibility test are performed on isolates from sterile sites. Pure viable subculture of 24 – 48 hours growth of organism on appropriate pre-reduced medium submitted in an anaerobic transport kit or anaerobic swab2,3 |
N/A |
Submission and Collection Notes
Complete all fields on the Reference Bacteriology Requisition, including:
- Test(s) requests
- Culture information
- Clinical/epidemiology
- Date of primary specimen collection
- Primary source of isolation (mandatory)
- Contact information
If a swab or broth is received, the turnaround time will be delayed by at least 24 hours.
Primary cultures are unacceptable, and will be rejected. They should be processed in the originating lab.
Limitations
Mixed or non-viable cultures will not be tested. The submitter will be contacted by telephone. A written report will be issued to indicate that the test has been rejected.
Susceptibility testing on multiple isolates from the same site of infection will not be performed.
Storage and Transport
Label the specimen with the patient’s full name, date of primary specimen collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.
Complete all fields of the Reference Bacteriology Requisition. Include the patient’s full name, date of birth, Health Card Number (must match the specimen label). Enter the test requested, culture information, clinical/epidemiology information, date of primary specimen collection, primary source of isolation (mandatory), submitting laboratory name and address and clinical diagnosis.
Place in a biohazard bag and seal.
Special Instructions
Transport a fresh subculture in anaerobic conditions to ensure viability on receipt.
Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is performed from Monday to Saturday.
Turnaround time for test results is up to 8 days from date of receipt at the PHO laboratory.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing for anaerobes is performed by E-Test.
MyPHO
Don’t have a MyPHO account? Register Now