Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

GEN
8108
SPUT
8095
Bruyn G, Pieniazek NJ, et al: Babesia divergens-like infection, Washington State. Emerg Infect Dis
2004;10(4):622-629 6. Persing DH, Herwaldt BL, Glaser C, et al: Infection with a Babesia-like organism
in northern California. N Engl J Med 1995;332(5):298-303 7. Quick RE, Herwaldt BL, Thomford JW, et
al: Babesiosis in Washington State: a new species of Babesia? Ann Intern Med 1993;119(4):284-290 8.
Herwaldt B, Persing DH, Precigout EA, et al: A fatal case of babesiosis in Missouri: identification of
another piroplasm that infects humans. Ann Intern Med 1996;124(7):643-650
Bacterial Culture, Aerobic
Clinical Information: Sterile Body Fluids and Normally Sterile Tissues In response to infection,
fluid may accumulate in any body cavity. Wound, Abscess, Exudates Skin and soft tissue infections can
occur as a result of a break in the skin surface, or they can occur as complications of surgery, trauma,
human, animal, or insect bites or diseases that interrupt a mucosal or skin surface. Specimen collection is
of utmost importance for these specimen types. For most open lesions and abscesses, remove the
superficial flora by decontaminating the skin before collecting a specimen from the advancing margin or
base. A closed abscess is the specimen site of choice. Aspirate the abscess contents with a syringe. The
specific anatomic site is required to establish possible contaminating flora in the area of specimen
collection for appropriate reporting of culture results. For this reason, specimens should be labeled as to
the specific anatomic source and to distinguish between "surface" and "deep/surgical" specimens. Do not
label only as "wound."
Useful For: Identifying the bacteria responsible for infections of sterile body fluids, tissues, or wounds
Interpretation: Any microorganism found where no resident flora is present is considered significant
and is reported. For specimens contaminated with the usual bacterial flora, bacteria that are potentially
pathogenic are identified.
Reference Values:
No growth or usual flora
Identification of probable pathogens
Clinical References: Forbes BA, Sahm DF, Weissfeld AS: In Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic
Microbiology. 11th Edtion. Mosby, St. Louis, MO, 2002, pp 907-926, 972-994
Bacterial Culture, Aerobic, Respiratory
Clinical Information: Common bacterial agents of acute pneumonia include: Streptococcus
pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and members of
the Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Enterobacter spp.) Clinical history, physical
examination, and chest X-ray are usually adequate for the diagnosis of pneumonia, and antimicrobial
treatment is typically based on these findings. Culture of expectorated sputum is used by some for the
evaluation of pneumonia, although controversy exists regarding this practice; both sensitivity and
specificity of sputum cultures are generally regarded as poor (