Collection , Transport , &

handling of specimen
 Specimens submitted for microbiological testing
require proper handling from the time of collection
through all stages of transport , storage & processing.
 In a busy hospital , collection of specimen is too
often delegated to person who do not understand the
requirements & consequences of such procedures.
 It is important to remember that while sampling the
fluids such as urine & cerebrospinal fluid ,which are
normally sterile, extreme care must be taken to avoid
contamination.
 Once the specimen is collected it should be
immediately dispatched to the laboratory.
pathogens may not grow in culture media if
there is delay in sending the specimen to the
laboratory. Delicate bacteria may die from:-

 1)lack of nutrition
 2)lowered temperature
 3)action of enzymes
 1. all specimen must be labeled with the patient’s
name & the date & time of sampling
name & age of the patient
ward & department
the nature of the specimen
the site of which it was taken
the clinical diagnosis & duration of
the illness
the examination required
the nature of any antimicrobial treatment.
 2) whenever possible , specimen should be obtained
before antimicrobial agents have been administered.
 3)use strict aseptic technique while collecting
samples in order to minimize contamination.
 4) collect specimens from anatomic sites most likely
to yield pathogens & least likely to yield
contaminants.
 5) tissue or fluids submitted for culture are always
superior to material on swabs.
 6) there are occasion when patient must participate
actively in the collection of a specimen.
Ex.:-sputum sample
 7) Specimen should be of a sufficient
quantity to permit complete examination &
should be placed in sterile containers.

 8) Notify microbiology laboratory & surgical

pathology laboratory when there is a need
for culture & histopathological examination.
 Unlabelled or improperly labeled specimen.
 Specimen received in leaking , cracked or broken
containers.
 Specimen with visually apparent contamination.
 Unpreserved specimen received more than 12 hr.
after collection.
 Specimen not appropriate for a particular test.
 All specimens for culture must be sent to the
laboratory on the day of collection & with as little
delay as possible.
 FOR CULTURE:-
 The volume of blood collected is 5 to 10 ml
per sample in adults & 1 to 5 ml in children
depending on the age & weight of the child.
 The blood culture bottles should be
transported immediately to the laboratory.
 In case of delay , the bottles should be kept at
room temperature or 35˚c to 37˚c not put in
refrigerator.
 FOR SEROLOGY:-
 Samples should be taken with a sterile
syringe & needle & the blood should be
delivered into a sterile container . the
specimen should be transfer immediately to
the laboratory & centrifuged.
 Serum sample that would be used within 1
week after collection can be refrigerated.
Specimen that need longer storage should be
frozen at -70˚c.
CEREBROSPINAL FLUID:-
CSF must be collected by means of strict aseptic
technique ,not only to minimise the specimen
contamination but also to prevent the introduction
of bacteria into the central nervous system.
The volume of CSF needed for routine bacterial
culture is 3 ml, for fungal & mycobacterial cultures
large volume samples of 10 to 20 ml are required.
CSF from patient with meningitis must arrive warm
in the laboratory & must be processed immediately.
 RESPIRATORY TRACT SPECIMEN:-
 Sputum for culture should be collected in a sterile
screw-capped bottle when the patient first wakes
up in the morning.
 Take when he/she will be able to cough it into a
conveniently placed container.
 Commonly collected specimen for the diagnosis of
upper respiratory tract infection is the throat swab.
 Contamination of the swab by touching the tongue
or the face should be avoided if this happens the
swab must be discarded & another used.
 URINE:-
 A clean mid-stream urine (MSU) sample is collected in a
sterile universal container.
 Patient education is essential to collect such a sample.
 The female patient passes urine with the labia separated
& the middle of the stream is collected.
 The sample is immediately sent to the laboratory but in
case of delay it should be refrigerated to prevent bacterial
growth.
 Catheterization of the patient is no longer considered.
 If tuberculosis of the urinary tract is suspected the first
urine passed in the day is the most suitable specimen .
 Three complete early morning specimen are sent to the
laboratory.
 STOOL
 Bedpan for collecting specimens for culture should
be sterile or heat treated.
 Rectal swab can be take , that swab through anal
canal.
 Specimen that are collected for examination of ova
& cyst must be sent to the laboratory as quickly as
possible.
 Stool samples submitted for culture are processed
immediately on receipt . only rarely it is necessary
to retrieve a specimen for additional testing , such
specimens should be refrigerated.
 SEROUS FLUID:-
 Serous fluid include pleural , pericardial , synovial ,
& ascitic fluids.
 Sample for routine bacterial culture should be sent
in a sterile screw-capped bottle.
 TISSUE:-
 Biopsy or autopsy specimen should be sent in a dry
sterile container.
 Saline & water should not be added as they are to
some extent bactericidal.
 Specimen collected for viral culture:
 Specimen are collected on swabs & then
rinsed in a broth medium.
 Most viruses survive well at ambient
temperature while in the transport medium.
 It is advisable to transport samples on ice or
to keep them refrigerated.
 Specimens should never be exposed to
temperatures higher than room temperature.