Microbiology

*TT = Turnaround time. This is the time from when the specimen is received in the lab, till the time the results are available.

Regarding clinical information it is understood that all relevant clinical information would be forwarded on the request forms, and the section below only refers to other mandatory information that if not found will effect turn-around times.


Note: This test directory list is non-exhaustive and if you require any test not listed below, please contact CPS laboratory directly - +971 4 3406766

Microbiology Performed *TT Specimen Minimal Clinical Information
3RD Trimester Grp.B.Strep., culture screen Daily 72 hrs vaginal swab Last menstrual period
Biopsy Culture and Sensitivity Daily 72 hrs Fresh Tissue in normal saline biopsy site
Blood Culture Anaerobic / Aerobic Daily 7 days Aerobic/anaerobic bloodculture bottles Record patient temperature
Body Fluid Culture and Sensitivity Daily 72 hrs Fluid Site taken
Bone Marrow Culture Daily 72 hrs Aerobic/anaerobic bloodculture bottles  
Bronchial Alveolar lavage, culture Daily 72 hrs Bronchial Aspirate  
Bronchial Wash-out/Trap, culture Daily 72 hrs Bronchial Aspirate  
Catheter tip, Culture and Sensitivity Daily 72 hrs Catheter tip Specify catheter source
CSF Culture and Sensitivity Daily 72 hrs Fluid  
Deep cough sputum Daily 72 hrs Sputum Clinical impression
Deep Wound swab Daily 72 hrs Swab or in syringe Specify Source
Ear swab culture Daily 72 hrs Swab Specify Left or Right ear
Endotrachial Aspiration culture Daily 72 hrs Endotrachial Aspirate  
Eye swab culture Daily 72 hrs Swab Specify Left or Right eye
Fungal culture Daily 30 days Swab,tissue (Requested sample)  
Genital swab culture Daily 72 hrs Swab Specify site taken
Gram Stain Daily Same day Requested sample  
KOH Wet mount, fungal Daily Same day swab  
Legionella Ag Daily 72 hrs Urine  
Mouth swab culture Daily 72 hrs swab  
MRSA, culture screen Daily 48 hrs swab Specified Source
MTB culture Daily 8 weeks Requested sample  
Nose swab culture Daily 72 hrs swab Specify Left or Right
Occult Blood, stool Daily Same day Random Stool Record: special diet follow
Parasitology (Ova & Parasite), Daily Same day Fresh stool sample  
Pericardial fluid Daily 72 hrs Fluid  
Pleural fluid Daily 72 hrs Fluid  
Rota virus Daily Same day Fresh stool sample  
Sputum microscopic, culture & sensitivity Daily 72 hrs Sputum  
Stool wet prep, culture & sensitivity Daily Same day Fresh stool sample  
Superficial Wound swab culture Daily 72 hrs Swab Specify Source
Synovial fluid culture Daily 72 hrs Fluid Specify site
Throat swab culture Daily 72 hrs Swab  
T-Spot.TB test Sat - Wed 48 hrs 4ml/8ml special tube Call CPS to make a booking one day prior
Tuberculosis (AFB) culture (includes smear) Daily 8 weeks Requested sample Specify Source
Tuberculosis (AFB) smear only (Ziehl Neelsen stain) Daily Same day Requested sample Specify Source
Urinalysis, routine & microscopic Daily Same day Requested sample

Specify Antibiotics medication

Midstream sample
Urine Culture & Sensitivity Daily 72 hrs Requested sample

Specify Antibiotics medication

Midstream sample
Vaginal Culture & Sensitivity Daily 72 hrs Swab  
VRE, culture screen Daily 72 hrs Rectal swab