Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Microbiology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
BBC
Test Code (Numeric Code)
2805
Laboratory Handling
Phlebotomy
Strict adherence to aseptic technique is essential. Blood cultures are always inoculated first in the order of draw.
Sample Stability
24 Hours
Associated Tests
Synonyms
Bacteraemia
Turnaround Time
5 days
Gram stain reports on positives are notified immediately. Identification and susceptibility tests of isolates are available 18-48 hours later. Negatives are reported automatically after 5 days incubation.
Specimen Type
- Whole Blood
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Blood Culture Set
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
10
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
8
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Paediatric Blood Culture Bottle
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
5
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
3
Pre-testing Requirements
After palpation, the venepuncture site must be cleansed with 70% Isopropyl or Ethyl alcohol. Swab concentrically, starting at the centre. Allow to dry before inserting the needle. If further palpation of the vein is necessary, the finger must be disinfected or a sterile glove worn. Inoculate the bottles directly. DO NOT change needles. Mix inoculated bottles immediately. Do not cover the base of the bottle or the barcode with the label.
Please take care to place blood culture bottles in a head-to-tail position before placing back into the biohazard transport bag. This makes it easier to fit the bag into the pneumatic carrier tube.
Additional Specimen Information
Acute sepsis: when antibiotic therapy is required immediately, obtain 2 sets from different sites
Other (PUO, etc.): Obtain 2 sets separated by at least one hour, if practical. If these are negative on day two, collect 2 more sets. Patients recently on antibiotic therapy or with suspected SBE may require a further 3 sets if previous sets remain negative.
Relevant clinical data is essential. If brucellosis is suspected, this must be noted on the request form.
Blood cultures should be taken if listeriosis is suspected.
Adults:
One set consists of two bottles:
1) Plus Aerobic/ F culture vial (Blue top),
2) Lytic/10 Anaerobic/ F culture vial (purple top)
Each bottle requires 10 mL of blood.
Less than 8 mL severely impairs detection of bacteraemia
Paediatric patients:
A single bottle of specially formulated medium is provided.
Use a single bottle of Peds Plus/F culture vial (Silver top).
Each bottle will take up to 5 mL of blood.
Anaerobic blood culture is not routine for children.
The bottles contain resins that bind to and inactivate antibiotics.
Mycobacteraemia:
If mycobacteraemia is suspected - special media (Myco/F lytic culture vial) is required and is available from the Microbiology Department on request.
Collect a maximum of 5 ml into Myco-F-Lytic blood Culture Bottles. See Mycobacterial Culture (Blood Culture/Bone Marrow) for more information.
Last updated: 28/04/2026