Kenya Medical Laboratory Tests

Swab, skin/wound/pus Test in Kenya

Brief Description

This test is conducted to detect pathogens in an area of the skin/wound/pus. The test is usually prescribed in management of Superficial infections.

Synonyms

Wound Anaerobic Culture, Anaerobic Culture, Abscess

Patient Preparation

No special preparations required

Sample Type

Pus, scrapings of scale, skin biopsy, moist swab from a mucosal, Nail clippings.

Sample volume

2ml pus, Swabs, 1 cm³ tissue

Sample collection Container

Culture transport swab, Sterile container.

Sample collection instructions

For skin, the area is cleansed with 70% alcohol and a portion from the active border of the lesion collected. For pus, Swabs should be well soaked in pus. Contamination with normal flora from skin or other body surfaces must be avoided.

Sample storage

Maintained at room temperature

Reference range

Negative/Normal

Results Turnaround

4 - 7 days after receipt of samples

Diseases / Diagnostic Indicators

Isolation of harmful organisms in culture is associated with various Superficial infections such as erythrasma, Cellulitis, athlete's foot, ringworm.