MDL Testing Menu & Collection Guides
Complete List of Testing Information Sheets & Guides
Access all testing information sheets and collection guides in one PDF.
Microbiology Testing
Sample Source
- Pure culture isolate on suitable agar (solid) medium; slant or plate
Collection Container
-
Suitable agar (solid) medium for isolate submitted. Can be slant or sealed plate
Test Method and Description
-
Identification methods may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels. Genus and species are reported on aerobic bacterial isolates whenever possible.
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
-
2 鈥� 4 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
- Pure culture isolate on suitable agar (solid) medium; slant or plate
Collection Container
-
Suitable agar (solid) medium for isolate submitted. Submit a sealed plate in an anaerobic transport bag to maintain viability.
Test Method and Description
-
Identification methods may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels. Genus and species are reported on aerobic bacterial isolates whenever possible.
Testing Schedule
-
Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
-
2 鈥� 4 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
- Pure culture isolate on suitable agar (solid) medium; slant or plate
Collection Container
-
Suitable agar (solid) medium for isolate submitted. It can be slant or sealed plate.
Test Method and Description
- Identification methods may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels. Genus and species are reported on aerobic bacterial isolates whenever possible.
- Susceptibility testing may include minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (broth microdilution or gradient strip diffusion) or disc diffusion.
- NOTE: Susceptibility testing is performed depending on source and identification. If the source and identification do not warrant susceptibility testing per CLSI guidelines, MDL will notify the client piror to continuing with testing.
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
- 2 鈥� 4 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
-
Pure culture isolate on suitable agar (solid) medium; slant or plate in an anaerobic environment.
Collection Container
-
Suitable agar (solid) medium for isolate submitted. Submit a sealed plate in an anaerobic transport bag to maintain viability.
Test Method and Description
- Identification methods may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels. Genus and species are reported on anaerobic bacterial isolates whenever possible.
- Susceptibility testing will be minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (gradient strip diffusion).
- NOTE: Susceptibility testing is performed depending on source and identification. If the source and identification do not warrant susceptibility testing per CLSI guidelines, MDL will notify the client prior to continuing with testing.
Testing Schedule
-
Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
-
3 鈥� 5 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
- Blood (specify collection site)
Collection Container
-
FA Plus Bottle
- FN Plus Bottle
- PF plus Bottle
Test Method and Description
- Culture using automated continuous monitoring system.
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
- 5 鈥� 7 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
-
Positive blood culture bottle
Collection Container
- Blood culture bottle(s) that have been flagged positive by the client鈥檚 instrumentation
- Culture on suitable agar (solid) medium plate
- NOTE: For clients that are able, plates should be subbed and submitted with the bottle(s) to expedite results
Test Method and Description
-
Identification methods may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels. Genus and species are reported on anaerobic bacterial isolates whenever possible.
Testing Schedule
-
Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
-
1 鈥� 4 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
-
Positive blood culture bottle
Collection Container
- Blood culture bottle(s) that have been flagged positive by the client鈥檚 instrumentation.
- Culture on a suitable agar (solid) medium plate
- NOTE: For clients that are able; plates should be subbed and submitted with the bottle(s) to expediate results.
Test Method and Description
- Identification methods may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels. Genus and species are reported on anaerobic bacterial isolates whenever possible.
- Susceptibility testing may include minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (broth microdilution or gradient strip diffusion) or disc diffusion.鈥�
Testing Schedule
-
Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
-
1 鈥� 4 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
- Synovial
- Peritoneal
- Pericardial
- Pleural
- Other (indicate specific source)
Collection Container
-
Sterile Container
Test Method and Description
- Conventional aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture techniques with selective and non-selective media.
- Identification methods (when appropriate) may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels.鈥�
- Susceptibility testing (when appropriate) may include minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (broth microdilution or gradient strip diffusion) or disk diffusion.鈥�
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
- 4 鈥� 5 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
- Cerebral Spinal Fluid (specific source/collection method: i.e.: lumbar puncture, shunt, ventricular shunt, etc.)
Collection Container
-
Sterile Container
Test Method and Description
- Conventional aerobic bacterial culture technique with selective and non-selective media.鈥���
- Identification methods (when appropriate) may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels.鈥��
- Susceptibility testing (when appropriate) may include minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (broth microdilution or gradient strip diffusion) or disk diffusion.鈥��
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
- 4 鈥� 5 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
- Cerebral Spinal Fluid (specify source/collection method: i.e.: lumbar puncture, shunt, ventricular shunt, etc.)
Collection Container
-
Sterile Container
Test Method and Description
- Conventional aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture technique with non-selective media.
- Identification methods (when appropriate) may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels.鈥��
- Susceptibility testing (when appropriate) may include minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (broth microdilution or gradient strip diffusion) or disk diffusion.鈥��
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
- 4 鈥� 5 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
-
Genital
- Vaginal
- Abscess
- Endocervical
- Rectovaginal
- Urethral/Penial
- Other
Collection Container
- ESwab
- ESwab Minitip Flocked Collection Kit (Urogential)
Test Method and Description
- Conventional aerobic bacterial culture technique with selective and non-selective media.
- Identification methods (when appropriate) may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels.
- Susceptibility testing (when appropriate) may include minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (broth microdilution or gradient strip diffusion) or disk diffusion.
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
- 3 鈥� 4 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
- Throat
Collection Container
-
ESwab
Test Method and Description
- Conventional aerobic bacterial culture technique, screening for presence or absence only of Group A (Streptococcus pyogenes).
- Identification methods (when appropriate) may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels.
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
- 1 鈥� 3 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
-
Rectovaginal
Collection Container
- ESwab
Test Method and Description
- Conventional aerobic bacterial culture technique with selective and non-selective media.
- Identification methods (when appropriate) may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels.
- Susceptibility testing (when appropriate) may include minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (broth microdilution or gradient strip diffusion) or disk diffusion.
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
- 3 鈥� 4 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
-
Sputum
- Tracheal Aspirate
- Bronchial Wash
- Bronchial Alveolar Laveage (BAL)
- Biopsy
Collection Container
- Sterile Container
- Sterile Saline Tube
Test Method and Description
- Conventional aerobic bacterial culture technique with selective and non-selective media.
- Identification methods (when appropriate) may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels.
- Susceptibility testing (when appropriate) may include minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (broth microdilution or gradient strip diffusion) or disk diffusion.
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
- 3 鈥� 4 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
- Anterior Nares
Collection Container
-
ESwab
Test Method and Description
- A nasal swab is inoculated onto Spectra MRSA agar, a selective and differential chromogenic medium used in qualitative detection of nasal colonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
- 24 鈥� 32 hours
Additional Information
Sample Source
-
Vaginal
- Endocervical
- Urethral/Penial
- Urethral Discharge
- Vaginal Discharge
- Genital
- Lesion
- Throat
Collection Container
- ESwab
- ESwab Minitip Flocked Collection Kit (Urogential)
Test Method and Description
- Conventional aerobic bacterial culture technique with selective and non-selective media.
- Identification methods (when appropriate) may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels.
- Susceptibility testing (when appropriate) may include minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (broth microdilution or gradient strip diffusion) or disk diffusion.
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
- 3 鈥� 4 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
- Tissue (specify site)
Collection Container
-
Sterile Container
Test Method and Description
- Conventional aerobic bacterial culture technique with selective and non-selective media.
- Identification methods (when appropriate) may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels.
- Susceptibility testing (when appropriate) may include minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (broth microdilution or gradient strip diffusion) or disk diffusion.
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
- 4 鈥� 5 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
- Throat Swab
- Oropharyngeal Swab
- Nasal Swab
- Nasopharynx Swab
Collection Container
-
ESwab
Test Method and Description
- Conventional aerobic bacterial culture technique with selective and non-selective media.
- Identification methods (when appropriate) may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels.
- Susceptibility testing (when appropriate) may include minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (broth microdilution or gradient strip diffusion) or disk diffusion.
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday - Sunday
Turnaround Time
- 3 - 4 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
-
Urine - specify collection method (i.e., clean catch, foley catheter, cystoscopy, etc.)
Collection Container
- BD Vacutainer Urine C&S Tube
- Unpreserved Sterile Container
Test Method and Description
- Conventional aerobic bacterial culture technique with selective and non-selective media.
- Identification methods (when appropriate) may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels.
- Susceptibility testing (when appropriate) may include minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (broth microdilution or gradient strip diffusion) or disk diffusion.
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday - Sunday
Turnaround Time
- 2 - 3 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
-
Wound (specify source/site)
Collection Container
- ESwab
- Sterile Container
Test Method and Description
- Conventional aerobic bacterial culture technique with selective and non-selective media.
- Identification methods (when appropriate) may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels.
- Susceptibility testing (when appropriate) may include minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (broth microdilution or gradient strip diffusion) or disk diffusion.
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
- 4 鈥� 5 days
Additional Information
Sample Source
-
Wound (specify source/site)
Collection Container
- ESwab
- Sterile Container
Test Method and Description
- Conventional aerobic bacterial culture technique with selective and non-selective media.
- Identification methods (when appropriate) may include any of the following: conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and commercial identification panels.
- Susceptibility testing (when appropriate) may include minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (broth microdilution or gradient strip diffusion) or disk diffusion.
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday 鈥� Sunday
Turnaround Time
- 4 鈥� 5 days
Additional Information
Molecular Tests
Sample Source
- Nasopharyngeal
- Orophayrngeal
Collection Container
-
Viral Transport Media (M4 or M5) with flocked Nasopharyngeal or Oropharyngeal Swab
Test Method and Description
- Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test intended for qualitative detection of nucleic acid for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) A/B, Influenza Virus A/B, SARS-CoV-2 Virus.
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday - Friday at 11:30 AM
Turnaround Time
- < 48 hours
Additional Information
Sample Source
- Saliva
Collection Container
-
5mL Screw Cap Eppendorf Tube
Test Method and Description
- Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test intended for qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2.
Testing Schedule
- Daily; Monday - Friday at 11:30 AM
Turnaround Time
- < 48 hours
Additional Information
