Pus exuding from inflamed traumatic or surgical incisions may be sampled using a Bacterial Transport Medium (BTM) swab. Swabs collected from dry inflamed wounds or from cases of cellulitis rarely yield the pathogenic agent, and in such cases, it is advisable to moisten the swab with some sterile saline prior to sampling the lesion. Details of the location and nature of the wound are essential to allow interpretation of results.

Infected ulcers may also be sampled using a BTM swab.
 
Burn wounds are often colonized by the patient’s microbiota or environmental organisms. Cultures of the surface alone are often misleading; therefore , biopsies of deeper tissue are often indicated. For advice on the appropriatness of this please contact the consultant  Microbiologist.
 
Viral infections which cause vesicles may be diagnosed by collecting vesicle fluid. Depending upon volume, this may be submitted fresh (in a suitable sterile bottle) or send viral swabs for PCR.
 
Fungal skin and nail infections caused by dermatophytes can be diagnosed by collecting hair, nail clippings or skin scrapings sent in 'DermaPak' envelopes, or in sterile, dry universal bottles.