Eye Samples

For bacterial culture of eye swabs see Surface Swabs. Eye swabs for viral PCR will be tested for Adenovirus / HSV / VZV and Chlamydia.

Aqueous and vitreous fluid will be cultured using non-selective agar and a 10-day enrichment broth. Microscopy will also be performed. For further testing such as CMV or fungal PCR, please discuss with the Microbiology medical staff.

Contact lens and contact lens solution will be cultured using non-selective agar and 7-day enrichment broths at 37 and 25 degrees. A fungal culture will also be set up.

Sample type

• Corneal scrapings
• Aqueous / vitreous fluid
• Eye swabs
• Contact lens and contact lens solution

Specimen requirements

• For viral PCR, swabs should be sent in viral / universal transport medium (red or green top)
• Aqueous and vitreous fluid can be sent in a capped and labelled syringe - needles must be removed before transport
• Contact lens can be sent in a contact lens case or in a sterile universal container
• Slide corneal scrapings

Minimum volume

• For bacterial culture - 0.5ml
• For viral PCR - 0.5ml

Frequency of test

• Bacterial culture - daily
• Viral PCR - Monday to Friday

Turnaround time

• Microscopy on day of receipt
• Aqueous / vitreous fluid - 12 days
• Contact lens / solution - 9 days (21 days for fungal culture)
• Viral PCR - 5 days
• UKHSA Bristol Eye PCR (aqueous and vitreous fluid) TaT - 10 working days

What to request on EPR

Surface swab - > body site Eye

Aqueous / vitreous fluid MCS

Adeno / VSV / HSV / Chlamydia PCR non-genital specimen