Culture results: Preliminary after 48 hours; Final after 3-5 days.

NOT ACCEPTABLE: Specimens not collected in anaerobic transport device, cervical or vaginal specimens, expectorated sputum, bronchoscopic specimens above the oropharynx, gastric and small bowel contents, large bowel contents and feces (except for Clostridium Botulinum), voided and catheterized urine, urethral specimens, ileostomy and colostomy specimens, specimens from the oropharynx or nasopharynx, heart valve

Surface wounds: Clean the orifice of sinus tract, surrounding skin or exterior of abscess with antiseptic to reduce contamination. Open the lesion and express pus if possible.

Deep Closed Wounds: Decontaminate the skin surface. Obtain the specimen as close to the base of active infection as possible. Aspirate material using a needle and syringe. Expel any air from the syringe. Remove the needle and cap the syringe with plastic cap.

Collection using anaerobic transport tube: If the specimen is obtained by swab, hold the tube upright, unscrew the cap and insert the swab into the gel. Break off the swab, leaving at least 1 inch above the top of the gel, and secure cap tightly. Small pieces of tissue may also be placed in the tube on top of the gel surface. DO NOT imbed tissue into the gel. Place larger pieces of tissue in a sterile container and deliver immediately to the laboratory.