Genital Culture – Male

Male Urogenital Culture for Bacteriologic Examination

Useful For

Specimens are generally collected from males exhibiting urethritis, epididymitis, prostatitis, or genital ulcers. The male urethra normally contains relatively few microorganisms found on the skin, such as coagulase negative staphylococci, micrococci, Corynebacterium, and alpha hemolytic streptococci. The presence of large numbers of these would indicate a contaminated or inappropriate specimen and culture workup should be limited.

Method Name

Culture

Aliases

Urogenital Culture - Male; Male Genital Culture; Genital Culture Male

Specimen Type

Sites appropriate for male urogenital culture include swabs of the urethra (minitip) Eswab, vesicular material, genital ulcers, penile discharge, urethral exudates or prostatic secretions (on swab or in sterile container). In addition, aspirates of testicular material, or biopsy specimens may be submitted. However, these specimens should be ordered as  the “Aspirate/Tissue culture.

SWABS:  Rayon or Dacron swabs, mini tip Eswabs or mini swab culturette transport device with liquid stuarts medium, or culturette EZ with polyurethane (sponge) swab.

NOTE: Dual swab collections are optimal as they provide a separate specimen for direct smear preparation. Culturette swabs and E-swabs must be received within 48 hours of collection. Delay beyond 48 hours may result in organism die off and decreased recovery of potential pathogens.

OTHER MATERIAL: Specimens not collected on swabs, should be submitted in a clean, sterile, leak-proof container and must reach the lab within 2 hours of collection.

NOTE: Specimens collected specifically to rule out Gonorrhoeae should be plated directly onto Tray GC media and should be ordered as a GC culture. Swabs of external genitalia should be considered  Wound Culture -Non surgical specimens.

Specimen Required

  • Culturette or E-swab of urethra or drainage from the urethra or prostate.
  • Semen or drainage aspirates may be submitted in a clean, sterile, leak proof container.

E Swab

 

MiniTip E swab

Specimen Minimum Volume

  • 1 swab
  • 1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

  • Transport at room temperature.
  • Culturette or E-swabs are stable for 48 hours.
  • Specimens not in transport media must be received within 2 hours of collection.
  • *NOTE* Specimens that do not meet the above criteria will be rejected.

Rejected Due To

  • Specimen not transported at room temperature.
  • Culturette or E-swabs are stable for 48 hours.
  • Specimens not in transport media not received within 2 hours of collection.
  • *NOTE* Specimens that do not meet the above criteria will be rejected.

Special Instructions

  • Specimens must be labeled with complete source and body site information.
  • Exam includes direct smear (gram stain) and susceptibility testing, when appropriate for the isolates recovered.
  • NOTE: For specimens submitted to rule out GC (Neisseria gonorrhoeae), please refer to GC Culture requirements or GC-DNA Probe requirements.

Performing Laboratory

Glens Falls Hospital Microbiology

Day(s) and Time(s) Performed

  • Day shift
  • 7 days per week

Analytical Time

Up to 3 days

Specimen Retention Time

72 hours

Analytical Time

Up to 3 days

Laboratory Test Catalog

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