ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Leptospira Culture : 0060158
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Time Sensitive
[ image for: UUHSC Testing Only]
UUHSC Testing Only


Mnemonic: MC LEPTO

Methodology: Culture
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: Within 42 days
Positives are reported as soon as detected.
Final: Negative at 6 weeks
Specimen Required: Patient Prep: CSF or blood should be collected within first week of illness; urine after the first week of illness. Blood is collected per blood culture procedure.

Collect: Green (sodium heparin) or sodium oxalate. Also acceptable: Bactec aerobic resin bottle or other commercial blood culture bottles, CSF, or urine.

Specimen Preparation: Blood: Transport 1 mL whole blood in heparin, sodium oxalate tube, or blood culture bottles. (Min: 1 mL)
CSF:
Transport 0.5 mL CSF in a sterile container. (Min: 0.1 mL)
Urine:
Dilute 1 mL urine 1:10 in 1 percent bovine serum albumin within one hour of collection. Transport 1 mL diluted urine in a sterile container. (Min: 0.1 mL)


Storage/Transport Temperature: Room temperature.

Remarks: Specimen source required. Leptospiras spp. may not survive extended transport time or in acidic urine.

Unacceptable Conditions: Clotted whole blood or whole blood submitted in anticoagulant other than those listed above. Urine not diluted with bovine serum albumin within 1 hour of collection or urine in preservative.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): Blood culture bottles: Ambient: 48 hours; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: Unacceptable
Other:
Ambient 24 hours; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: Unacceptable


Reference Interval:
Culture negative for Leptospira. 
CPT Code(s): 87081; 87166
Cross References: Culture, Leptospira (Leptospira Culture)