Culture on selective media

Culture may be negative in the presence of infection, and the presence of Ureaplasma urealyticum or Mycoplasma hominis does not always indicate infection, although there is a significant association with symptomatic disease.

Bacterial swab specimen; specimen received in grossly leaking transport container; dry specimen; specimen submitted in fixative or additive; specimen received in expired transport media or incorrect transport device; inappropriate specimen transport conditions; specimen received after prolonged delay in transport (usually more than 72 hours); specimen stored or transported at room temperature; wooden shaft swab in transport device; unlabeled specimen or name discrepancy between specimen and request label