Actinomyces Culture

Microbiology

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Summary

Actinomyces are commensals of the mouth, gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts – in rare cases they can cause infection (Actinomycosis.)

Usage

Bacterial culture for the isolation and identification of Actinomyces species.

As standard practice the laboratory will culture for Actinomyces from:

• Dental or Maxillary abscesses
• Cervical/Endocervical swabs, IUCDs with PID in the clinical details

Specimen

Material from wound, swab or IUCD

Specimen container

Plain Universal

Charcoal swab

Special Instructions

Please state ‘Actinomyces culture’ in clinical details.

Availability

Processed in-house.

Microbiology Laboratory, Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Turnaround Time

Culture – up to 10 days for a Negative result

Useful links

For Patients:

Actinomycosis – NHS

For Healthcare professionals:

Actinomycosis Clinical Review – The BMJ

Identification of Anaerobic Actinomyces species – UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations (UKHSA)

Specimen Labelling Procedure