Mouth Swab Culture
Specimens may not be processed if there is a lack of clinical details. Please consider if samples are clinically required and would change management.
Summary
Culture of Mouth swabs for the isolation and identification of Bacterial and/or Fungal Pathogens.
Antimicrobial sensitivity testing is performed as appropriate.
Usage
To determine the presence of Bacterial and/or Fungal pathogens which may be causing an infection.
Specimen
Mouth Swab
Specimen Container
Charcoal Swab
To Request On EPIC
For electronic requesting using EPIC (RDUH ONLY):
Search for: ‘Mouth Swab MC&S‘ or test code ‘LAB228‘
Special Instructions
Please provide relevant clinical details with the request, this helps the lab process the sample correctly and provide the best result for the patient:
Please state the site of swab.
Please state clearly the following: whether the patient is diabetic, if the patient is immunocompromised, current and recent antibiotic therapy.
Are you suspecting oral thrush? Does the patient have a wound or ulcer in their mouth?
Please do not repeat in under 48 hours.
Specimen Collection
- Where possible specimens should be collected before starting any antimicrobial therapy.
- It is advisable that patients should not eat or drink within, brush their teeth or use any mouth rinse or disinfectant within 2 hours prior to sampling.
- Use aseptic technique.
- Sample any lesions or inflamed areas. Denture fitting surfaces should also be swabbed as these give a better recovery of Candida species than the palatal mucosa.
- Immediately after collection the swab should be returned to its plastic sheath (placed into the transport medium.)
- Label the sample with at least three identifiers (Name, D.O.B & NHS or Hospital No.) and place into a specimen bag.
- Transport to the laboratory as soon as possible.
- If transport is delayed, refrigeration is preferable to storage at ambient temperature.
Availability
Tested in house at RD&E
Turnaround Time
48– 72 Hours
Specimen Labelling Procedure
