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Microbiology

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Heart Valves and Pacing Wires

Heart valves, associated tissue / fluid and pacing wires are cultured by the laboratory using blood culture bottles and incubated for up to 10 days.

Valve tissue can be sent to Great Ormond Street for bacterial 16s RNA PCR and/or fungal 18s RNA PCR. Please discuss with Microbiology medical staff.

Sample type

  • Heart valves
  • Tissue or fluid associated with heart valves
  • Pacing wires

Specimen requirements

Send in a sterile universal container

Minimum volume

N/A

Frequency of test

Daily

Turnaround time

9 days

What to request on EPR

Pus / deep wound / fluid / abscess / biopsy / scrape / aspirate / valve MCS - > specimen type - heart valve / pacemaker

Last reviewed:14 February 2023

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