Investigation of nose swabs

Microbiology

Nasal colonisation with Staphylococcus aureus increases the risk of staphylococcal infections at other sites of the body such as postoperative wounds and dialysis access sites. It is also associated with recurrent skin infections and nosocomial infections in nurseries and hospital wards. S. aureus is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in haemodialysis patients as most patients carry the organism in their anterior nares.

Eradication of nasal carriage of S. aureus may be beneficial in certain clinical conditions such as recurrent furunculosis. Systemic, in addition to topical, treatment is appropriate for nasally colonised patients who have infection elsewhere. Topical antibacterial agents such as mupirocin and chlorhexidine/neomycin are preferred to systemic formulations when a patient is identified as a carrier. Nose swabs may be used to investigate carriage of Lancefield group A streptococcus and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (Please see Investigation of specimens for screening for MRSA).

There is no clear evidence regarding the significance of isolating Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae from nose swabs as a predictor of involvement in infections such as sinusitis.

Although nose swabs are not the ideal specimen for the examination of nasal discharge, they are sometimes received. Nasal discharge may be a presentation of diphtheria. However, nose swabs are not routinely cultured for Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Nasal swabs should not be taken to investigate the presence of Bordetella pertussis. Rhinoscleroma, due to infection with Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis, is a rare form of chronic granulomatous nasal infection affecting the nasal passages and sinuses which can also include the pharynx and larynx. The disease is progressive and manifests itself by tumour-like growths with local extension. Although common in Eastern Europe, Central Africa, Latin America and South East Asia, rhinoscleroma appears to be poorly communicable. Ozaenia (ozena) is a chronic atrophic rhinitis. The condition can destroy the mucosa and is characterised by a chronic, purulent and often foul-smelling nasal discharge. Klebsiella ozaenae may have an etiological role.

Sample Type:

Unless otherwise stated, swabs for bacterial and fungal culture should be placed in Amies transport medium with charcoal.

Temperature: 2-8°C

Turnaround Time:

48h for a negative result.

72h for a positive result.

*Excludes Sundays and Bank Holidays

Sample Stability:

2 days @ 2-8ºC

Instrument / Procedure:

Manual Culture

Units:
Reference Range:
Precautions:

PLEASE NOTE: Samples and accompanying relevant patient/ isolate data maybe referred for confirmatory or further laboratory testing to Reference laboratories. Relevant Public Health departments may also be notified IF a notifiable disease is identified under the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 53/2020).

Preparation of patient: Collect specimens before antimicrobial therapy where possible.

Precautions: Sample the anterior nares by gently rotating the swab over the mucosal surface. If processing is delayed, refrigeration is preferable to storage at ambient temperature. Delays of over 48hr are undesirable.

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SAMPLE REQUIREMENTS FOR COAGULATION TESTS

PROCEDURE

Sample Requirements and Collection

  • Patients should be relaxed pre-venepuncture. Excessive stress and exercise will increase FVIII, vWF antigen and fibrinolysis. Venous occlusion should be avoided.  
  • Difficult venepuncture with trauma may lead to platelet activation with release of PF4 from alpha granules.
  • Venous blood should be collected into coagulation tubes containing Sodium Citrate 3.2%, 0.105M.
  • Specimens must be mixed immediately post venepuncture to avoid clot activation, by GENTLY inverting the tubes 5 to 10 times.
  • The ratio of whole blood to anticoagulant is crucial to clotting times. A target blood to anticoagulant ratio of 9:1 is optimal.  Under- or over- filled specimens will not be processed this can adversely affect results.  
  • Any warfarin treatment should be mentioned on the request form.
  • Sample rejection Criteria: Clotted sample, grossly hemolyzed sample, underfilled/overfilled specimen, unlabeled sample, mismatched patient ID, aged samples, wrong sample tube (citrate tube only).

Transportation and Storage

  • PT/INR specimens should be transported to the laboratory at room temperature.
  • Coagulation specimens should ideally be analysed within 4 hours of collection. Where this is not possible, centrifuge specimens at room temperature (RT) @ 1500RCF for at least 15 minutes, and then carefully remove the plasma from the cells, transfer to a fresh plastic plain tube and freeze at -20oC.  
  • Non-frozen coagulation specimens should be transported at RT ASAP to avoid deterioration of labile factors V and VIII.
  • Collection of blood through intravenous lines that have been previously flushed with heparin should be avoided. In the event blood is drawn from an indwelling catheter, the line should be flushed with 5ml of saline, and the first 5ml of blood or 6 times the line volume be drawn off and discarded before coagulation tube is filled.
  • Effect of freezing on Coagulation Specimens.
  • A 14days in-house study on the effect of freezing, on coagulation specimens at -20oC, showed that there was negligible and clinically non-significant effect of freezing on coagulation specimen results. Therefore frozen citrated coagulation samples are stable for 14 days at -20oC, post centrifugation. This study is available in-house for reference.
ESR Ref Ranges
Units of Measurement
MALE
FEMALE
>50 Years
mm/hr
0 - ≤12
0 - ≤15
<50 Years
mm/hr
0 - ≤8
0 - ≤10
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Analyte
Units of Measurement
MALE
FEMALE
WBC
10^9/L
4.0–10.0
4.0 - 10.0
RBC
10^12/L
5.0 ± 0.5
4.3 ± 0.5
HB
g/dL
15.0 ± 2.0
13.5 ± 1.5
HCT
L/L
0.45 ± 0.05
0.41 ± 0.05
MCV
fL
92 ± 9
92 ± 9
MCH
pg
29.5 ± 2.5
29.5 ± 2.5
MCHC
g/dL
33.0 ± 1.5
33.0 ± 1.5
PLT
10^9/L
280 ± 130
280 ± 130
MPV
fL
N/A
N/A
RDW
%
11.6 - 14.0
11.6 - 14.0
#Neut
10^9/L
2.0 – 7.0
(40 - 80%)
#Lymph
10^9/L
1.0 – 3.0
(20 - 40%)
#Mono
10^9/L
0.2 – 1.0
(2 - 10%)
#Eos
10^9/L
0.02 – 0.5
(1 - 6%)
#Baso
10^9/L
0.02 – 0.1
(<1 - 2%)
Analyte
Units of Measurement
MALE & FEMALE
WBC
10^9/L
Birth: 18 ± 8
Day 3: 15 ± 8
Day 7: 14 ± 8
Day 14: 14 ± 8
1 Month: 12 ± 7
2 Months: 10 ± 5
3–6 Months: 12 ± 6
1 Year: 11 ± 5
2–6 Years: 10 ± 5
6–12 Years: 9 ± 4
RBC
10^12/L
Birth: 6.0 ± 1.0
Day 3: 5.3 ± 1.3
Day 7: 5.1 ± 1.2
Day 14: 4.9 ± 1.3
1 Month: 4.2 ± 1.2
2 Months: 3.7 ± 0.6
3–6 Months: 4.7 ± 0.6
1 Year: 4.5 ± 0.6
2–6 Years: 4.6 ± 0.6
6–12 Years: 4.6 ± 0.6
HB
g/dL
Birth: 18.0 ± 4.0
Day 3: 18.0 ± 3.0
Day 7: 17.5 ± 4.0
Day 14: 16.5 ± 4.0
1 Month: 14.0 ± 2.5
2 Months: 11.2± 1.8
3–6 Months: 12.6 ± 1.5
1 Year: 12.6 ± 1.5
2–6 Years: 12.5 ± 1.5
6–12 Years: 13.5 ± 2.0
HCT
L/L
Birth: 0.60 ± 0.15
Day 3: 0.56 ± 0.11
Day 7: 0.54 ± 0.12
Day 14: 0.51 ± 0.12
1 Month: 0.43 ± 0.10
2 Months: 0.35 ± 0.07
3–6 Months: 0.35 ± 0.08
1 Year: 0.34 ± 0.04
2–6 Years: 0.37 ± 0.03
6–12 Years: 0.40 ± 0.05
MCV
fL
Birth: 110 ± 10
Day 3: 105 ± 13
Day 7: 107 ± 19
Day 14: 105 ± 19
1 Month: 104 ± 12
2 Months: 95 ± 8
3–6 Months: 76 ± 8
1 Year: 78 ± 6
2–6 Years: 81 ± 6
6–12 Years: 86 ± 9
MCH
pg
Birth: 34 ± 3
Day 3: 34 ± 3
Day 7: 34 ± 3
Day 14: 34 ± 3
1 Month: 33 ± 3
2 Months: 30 ± 3
3–6 Months: 27 ± 3
1 Year: 27 ± 2
2–6 Years: 27 ± 3
6–12 Years: 29 ± 4
MCHC
g/dL
Birth: 33.0 ± 3.0
Day 3: 33.0 ± 4.0
Day 7: 33.0 ± 5.0
Day 14: 33.0 ± 5.0
1 Month: 33.0 ± 4.0
2 Months: 32.0 ± 3.5
3–6 Months: 33.0 ± 3.0
1 Year: 34.0 ± 2.0
2–6 Years: 34.0 ± 3.0
6–12 Years: 34.0 ± 3.0
PLT
10^9/L
Birth: 100 – 450
Day 3: 210 – 500
Day 7: 160 – 500
Day 14: 170 – 500
1 Month: 200 – 500
2 Months: 210 – 650
3–6 Months: 200 – 550
1 Year: 200 – 550
2–6 Years: 200 – 490
6–12 Years: 170 – 450
Reticulocytes
10^9/L
Birth: 120 – 400
Day 3: 50 – 350
Day 7: 50 – 100
Day 14: 50 - 100
1 Month: 20 – 60
2 Months: 30 – 50
3–6 Months: 40 – 100
1 Year: 30 – 100
2–6 Years: 30 – 100
6–12 Years: 30 – 100
#Neut
10^9/L
Birth: 4 – 14
Day 3: 3 – 5
Day 7: 3 – 6
Day 14: 3 – 7
1 Month: 3 – 9
2 Months: 1.0 – 5
3–6 Months: 1 – 6
1 Year: 1 – 7
2–6 Years: 1.5 – 8
6–12 Years: 2 – 8
#Lymph
10^9/L
Birth: 3 – 8
Day 3: 2 – 8
Day 7: 3 – 9
Day 14: 3 – 9
1 Month: 3 – 16
2 Months: 4 – 10
3–6 Months: 4 – 12
1 Year: 3.5 – 11
2–6 Years: 6 - 9
6–12 Years: 1 - 5
#Mono
10^9/L
Birth: 0.5 – 2.0
Day 3: 0.5 – 1.0
Day 7: 0.1 – 1.7
Day 14: 0.1 – 1.7
1 Month: 0.3 – 1.0
2 Months: 0.4 – 1.2
3–6 Months: 0.2 – 1.2
1 Year: 0.2 – 1.0
2–6 Years: 0.2 – 1.0
6–12 Years: 0.2 – 1.0
#Eos
10^9/L
Birth: 0.1 – 1.0
Day 3: 0.1 – 2.0
Day 7: 0.1 – 0.8
Day 14: 0.1 – 0.9
1 Month: 0.2 – 1.0
2 Months: 0.1 – 1.0
3–6 Months: 0.1 – 1.0
1 Year: 0.1 – 1.0
2–6 Years: 0.1 – 1.0
6–12 Years: 0.1 – 1.0
Reference Ranges:
Age
Absolute Reference Range
Age
% Reference Range
0 - 1 day
324 - 617 x109/L
0 - 1 day
1.72 - 8.62%
1 - 5 days
85 - 400 x109/L
1 - 5 days
1.9 - 9.1%
5 days - 1 mth
34.2 - 724 x109/L
5 days - 1 mth
0.1 - 6.9%
1 - 3 mths
21.3 - 205 x109/L
1 - 3 mths
0.1 - 6.27%
3 - 12 mths
8.0 - 171 x109/L
3 - 12 mths
0.1 - 4.7%
1 - 3 yrs
55.6 - 120 x109/L
1 - 3 yrs
0.35 - 2.95%
3 - 7yrs
16.4 - 120.7 x109/L
3 - 7yrs
0.25 - 2.57%
Adult
35.2 - 122.8 x109/L
Adult
0.75 - 2.7%
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