Heart valve/vegetation

Description: 
Microscopy, isolation, identification and susceptibility of any organism likely to be pathogenic
Clinical details: 
Infective endocarditis is a rare infection of the endocardial structures, usually involving the heart valves. Most cases are caused by bacteria, and a few by fungi. Gram stain and culture of explanted valves can be useful to confirm the diagnosis. establish the aetiology, and guide the post-operative antibiotic regime.
Department: 
Infection Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
Sterile universal container
Turnaround time: 
7-10 days
Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR) as soon as possible for processing.
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730


For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Microbiology Laboratory at St Thomas'

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Last updated: 03/12/2017