infectious diseases
Overview of Anaerobic Bacteria
Testing
Specimens for anaerobic culture should be obtained by aspiration or biopsy from normally sterile sites. Delivery to the laboratory should be prompt, and transport devices should provide an oxygen-free atmosphere of carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and nitrogen. Swabs are best transported in an anaerobically sterilized, semisolid medium such as the anaerobic pre-reduced formulation of Cary-Blair transport medium. 