bactitech
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I have a question from our MT school microbiology review questions that is very important for future physicians:
Select the method of choice for recovery of anaerobic bacteria from a deep abscess:
a. Cotton fiber swab of the abscess area
b. Skin snip of the surface tissue
c. Needle aspirate after surface decontamination
d. Swab of the scalpel used for debridement
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Clinical Microbiology since 1974
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| SDK
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guess...D??
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| ssrpk
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c???
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| bactitech
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This is why I posted this question, as we receive sub-optimal specimens on a daily basis in micro. Many are collected by well-meaning surgeons right in the OR. They are surrounded by tissue, fluids, and blood, and yet send us swabs. This is a HUGE no no. While expedient, swabs just do not capture the optimal amount of bacteria. Aspirates in the syringe [needle removed, of course] are ideal, as are bits of tissue.
The correct answer is C. From my key:
"Anaerobic specimens are easily contaminated with organisms present on the skin or mucosal surfaces when a swab is used. Needle aspiration of an abscess following surface decontamination provides the least exposure to ambient oxygen."
A friend of mine works in a hospital that automatically REJECTS any specimen from the OR that is not an aspirate or tissue. Swabs are not allowed at her hospital. My place hasn't gotten that strong-armed yet. Her hospital also changes the order to a surface/skin specimen if ANY squamous epithelials are seen on the gram stain.
This little tidbit could change the outcome of thousands of wound culture specimens all over the world on a daily basis. It's well that you learn this now, because you're going to be taking a lot of cultures in the next few years.
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Clinical Microbiology since 1974
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| ssrpk
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hey tht's a great info! 
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