Nasal swab

Last updated: Tuesday, 07, August, 2007

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Item Process
Specimen

Swab.

Method

Bacterial culture.

Application

To detect nasal carriage of bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus during an outbreak of staphylococcal infection.

Interpretation

Not useful for diagnosis of infection, unless a direct swab of draining abscess.

Presence of Staphylococcus aureus on several occasions reflects carrier state.

Reference

Waites KB and Thacker WL. Clin Microbiol Newslett 2001; 23: 123-129.