Microbiology Specimens   Aerobic and Anaerobic Cultures These specimens are best obtained with a Copan swab- one for each culture type. The transport gel in the Copan swab (supplied by Antech) will preserve both aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Older style swabs (culturette) that have ompules to crush are not acceptable for anaerobic cultures. The most productive specimens are obtained by swabbing deep into an infected wound, or obtaining fluid from an actively infected tissue. Bacteria in pus are often nonviable and commonly result in no growth. Anaerobic cultures should be transported at room temp.   Viral Culture Specimens for viral culture are best transported in liquid viral culture media. Small liquid specimens can be dropped directly into the transport medium. Others are collected on a clean, dry dacron swab with a plastic shaft (not wood or paper). The swab is broken off into the vial of transport medium and submitted to the lab. Store at refrigerator temperature and transport with cold packs. Antech can provide a Viral Transport Pack that includes a tube of transport medium and the swab.   Mycoplasma Cultures for Mycoplasma should be submitted on a Copan swab. The swab must be refrigerated or kept with a cold pack until picked up by the Antech courier.       Please send comments to the webmaster. ©1997-2008 Antech Diagnostics, Inc. Site design and maintenance by amesDesign.