Collection Information: Use specific transport media or kit available for chlamydia, virus or bacteria. Collect viral and chlamydia samples before topical anaesthetics are administered. See separate listings for chlamydia and virus culture. One or two drops of a topical anaesthetic may be used before collecting samples for bacterial culture.
Conjunctival Swab - Swab the inside surface of the eyelid and the fornix of the eye. Place in transport media. Separate swab for each eye even though only 1 eye is infected.
Conjunctival Scrapings - Scrape the lower tarsal conjunctiva with a sterilized spatula. Inoculate scrapings directly onto plates, slants, slides. Also take a conjunctival swab.
Corneal Scrapings - Use short, firm strokes in one direction and scrape multiple areas of ulceration and suppuration with a sterile spatula. Keep the eyelid open and be careful not to touch the eyelashes. Inoculate scrapings directly onto plates slant, slides and broth. Also take a conjunctival swab.
Vitreous Fluid or Washings - Collect this by needle aspiration technique. If anaerobes are suspected (e.g. Propionibacterium), use anaerobic transport media. Otherwise, send sample in a sterile container. Also take a conjunctival swab.
Deliver to the Lab promptly.
Interpretive Comments: Conjunctival samples from babies less than 2 weeks old will be investigated for N. gonorrhoeae.
Comments: Organisms are more readily detected in scrapings than from a swab.