Test directory: Leptospirosis Culture

Ordering Code653
Test NameLeptospirosis Culture
AliasWeil's Disease Culture
Preferred SpecimenSodium Heparin Whole Blood, CSF or Urine inoculated into
EMJH media
Preferred ContainerEMJH media (Provided by DLS or the State Department of
Health)
Optimum VolumeUrine: 2 mL
CSF & Blood: 1 mL
Collection InstructionsOutpatient 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 InstructionsSpecimen 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 RequirementsOahu: Ambient
Airline: Ambient
Specimen StabilityInoculated 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 CriteriaRefrigerated, Contaminated, Leaking specimen, Specimens not inoculated in EMJH media, Specimens not labeled, Improperly collected specimens
Avail. StatNO
Analytic TimeUp to 6 Weeks
MethodologyCulture
Reference Lab Dept of Health

Reference range(s)

The reference ranges listed below are valid on this date of April 1, 2025.
ComponentAgeMale NormMale Critical LowMale Critical HighFemale NormFemale Critical HighFemale Critical LowUnitsAdd'l info
SourceALLSee report.
Report Status:ALLSee report.
CultureALLNONE DETECTEDNONE DETECTED