Purpose
To standardize processing and culture of throat swab culture.
Scope
This procedure applies to trained microbiology laboratory personnel working within an approved quality-management and biosafety system.
Principle
Appropriate sampling and selective culture methods support recovery of clinically relevant throat pathogens while limiting interference from normal flora.
Specimen / Test Material
Throat swab collected from the clinically relevant pharyngeal area using an approved swab system.
Equipment and Materials
- Appropriate validated culture media
- Inoculating equipment
- Incubation system
- Identification reagents or system
- AST materials where indicated
Procedure
- Verify specimen and source.
- Assess transport condition.
- Inoculate appropriate validated media.
- Incubate under the required conditions.
- Identify significant organisms using validated methods.
- Report according to clinical and laboratory policy.
Quality Control and Quality Assurance
Use validated media and controls; ensure correct specimen-site documentation.
Reporting
Report clinically significant findings, relevant negative results and limitations according to laboratory policy.
Safety
Use risk-based biosafety practices, appropriate personal protective equipment and approved decontamination and waste-disposal procedures. Treat clinical specimens and cultures according to the laboratory's biological risk assessment.
References
- World Health Organization (WHO): Toolkit for Standard Operating Procedures for Bacteriology, Mycology and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing.
- WHO: Laboratory Biosafety Manual, 4th edition.
- WHO guidance on collection, packaging and transport of infectious substances.
- EUCAST methodology and quality-control guidance for antimicrobial susceptibility testing, where applicable.
- Current locally approved laboratory procedures and validated manufacturer instructions.