Infections of the inner eye are caused by a variety of organisms some of which are more difficult to culture. The laboratory uses a variety of culture media to recover any aerobic, anaerobic and fungal isolates resulting in a longer turnaround time compared with conjunctival eyes swabs.
Tube
White top universal.
ID
3630.
Availability
Mon – Sun, 8:30am – 5:00pm. Acute samples of can be cultured and microscopy performed out of hours on request.
Additional Information
Corneal scrapes are usually sent directly inoculated on to culture plates in theatre. Plate sets are sent routinely to Ophthalmology at St James. For other users wishing to send these samples, please contact the laboratory 0113 206 7260.
Send to
Microbiology Department, Centre for Laboratory Medicine, St James’s University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7TF.
Collection Con
Observe aseptic sampling technique. Transport the sample to the laboratory as quickly as possible.
Note: The recovery of anaerobes is compromised if the transport time exceeds 3 hours.
It is advisable to add some sterile normal saline to biopsy samples to prevent any desiccation of the material during transport.
IP Routine TAT
10 days.
GP Routine TAT
10 days.