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HelpTest Code MACAC Culture, Acanthamoeba
Specimen Requirements
Submit only one of the following
Specimen Type: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), contact lens, contact lens solution, tissue, corneal scrapings
Container/Tube: Sterile screw-capped container with 3.0 mL Page saline
Volume: Fluids 2.0 mL, CSF 1.0 mL
Minimum Volume: Fluids 1.0 mL, CSF 0.5 mL
For biopsies and corneal scraping:
1. Obtain Page saline from NUH Microbiology Laboratory.
2. Put specimen in Page saline.
For fluid specimens, send as neat sample in a sterile container.
Specimen Stability
| Specimen Type | All types |
|---|---|
| Ambient | Submit sample to lab immediately |
| Refrigerate | NA |
| Frozen | Unacceptable |
Methodology
Culture
Days and Times Performed
Monday through Sunday, TAT 7 - 9 days
Reference Interval
Acanthamoeba not isolated.
Testing Laboratory
National University Hospital
Clinical Microbiology, 67724343
Useful For
Cases of meningoencephalities associated with free living amoeba. Ulceration of cornea.
Service Code
23029
Update
Last updated 30/6/2025
Unacceptable Condition
Specimen on slides, swab specimen, specimen in Universal Transport Medium (UTM) or in boric acid.