Quick Review Cards for Medical Laboratory Science

Routine Culture Setup and

Interpretationcontinued

Clinical Microbiology Review 221

SPECIMEN MEDIA NORMAL FLORA COMMON PATHOGENS OTHER

Blood

have been alcohol dipped &

flamed or autoclaved. If pos,

call. ID all isolates. Direct

antigen tests of limited value.

Skin prep: 80%–95% ethanol

or isopropyl alcohol followed

by povidone-iodine or tincture

of iodine. Optimum volume:

adult, 20 mL; child, 1 mL per

yr of life. blood-to-broth ratio

1:5 to 1:10. Usually draw 2 sets

in 24 hr. Automated systems

widely used for monitoring.

Growth indicated by consump-

tion of O 2 or production of CO 2.

Gram stain & subculture still

required for ID.

None

Common contaminants:

CNS, Micrococcus, alpha

strep, diphtheroids,

P. acnes

Most labs inoculate

an aerobic & anaero-

bic bottle. Some use

2 aerobic bottles, no

anaerobic

Any isolate potentially signifi-

cant. GPC are most common

continued...