Test directory: Leptospirosis Culture

Ordering Code 653
Test Name Leptospirosis Culture
Alias Weil's Disease Culture
Preferred Specimen Sodium Heparin Whole Blood, CSF or Urine inoculated into
EMJH media
Preferred Container EMJH media (Provided by DLS or the State Department of
Health)
Optimum Volume Urine: 2 mL
CSF & Blood: 1 mL
Collection Instructions Outpatient collections: Contact Hawaii Department of Health at (808) 453-6706 at least 3 days prior to planned collection date to request EMJH and Leptospira Buffered
Saline (LBS)
Outpatient collections on Oahu can be done only at QMC
Punchbowl POB 3 and QMC West POB

Requisition requirements: All specimens must be submitted with a legible 81.3 request form
All positive cultures will be forwarded to CDC for confirmation and to determine serovar.
Handling Instructions Specimen collected must be inoculated into EMJH media prior to submission. (Contact Bacteriology-Parasitology Section) (DOH) at 453-6706 for media
Specimen inoculation:
Blood: Inoculate 1-2 drops of blood to each of 4 tubes of EMJH
CSF: Inoculate 1-2 drops of CSF to each of 4 tubes of EMJH
Urine: Inoculate 1-2 drops of undiluted, 1:10 dilution into duplicate tubes of EMJH (4 total tubes per urine sample)
Use Leptospira buffered saline (LBS), available from the State Lab, as the diluent.
Specimen labeling: Label all tubes with patient's full name and date of birth.
Do not refrigerate inoculated tubes
Wrap tops of specimens with parafilm to prevent leakage and wrap the tubes in aluminum foil to create a dark environment
Transport tubes in upright position during transport.
Transport Requirements Oahu: Ambient
Airline: Ambient
Specimen Stability Inoculated EMJH (Blood, CSF, or Urine): Ambient: 1 Week
Raw Specimen Ambient: Na Heparin Blood: 1 Week
CSF or Urine in sterile container: 30 minutes
Rejection Criteria Refrigerated, Contaminated, Leaking specimen, Specimens not inoculated in EMJH media, Specimens not labeled, Improperly collected specimens
Avail. Stat NO
Analytic Time Up to 6 Weeks
Methodology Culture
Reference Lab  Dept of Health

Reference range(s)

The reference ranges listed below are valid on this date of June 29, 2025.
Component Age Male Norm Male Critical Low Male Critical High Female Norm Female Critical High Female Critical Low Units Add'l info
Source ALL See report.
Report Status: ALL See report.
Culture ALL NONE DETECTED NONE DETECTED