Culture & Sensitivity, Aerobic bacteria Clot (Manual method)

Bacterial/ Viral

Report in 72Hrs

At Home

No Fasting Required

Details

Identifies bacteria & antibiotic susceptibility.

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Culture & Sensitivity Aerobic bacteria Clot (Manual method)

Why is it done?
- Identifies aerobic bacterial pathogens from blood cultures to diagnose bacteremia or bloodstream infections
- Determines antibiotic susceptibility patterns to guide targeted antimicrobial therapy
- Ordered when patients present with fever, sepsis, or clinical signs of systemic infection
- Indicated in cases of endocarditis, meningitis, osteomyelitis, or other invasive infections
- Typically performed during acute illness or when infection is suspected; samples should be collected before antibiotic administration if possible
Normal Range
- Negative culture: No aerobic bacterial growth detected – Normal/Expected Result
- Growth present: Bacterial species identified and quantified – Abnormal/Positive Result
- Colony Forming Units (CFU/mL): Quantity measured; clinically significant usually ≥1 CFU per aerobic bottle
- Susceptibility interpretation: Expressed as Susceptible (S), Intermediate (I), or Resistant (R) for each antibiotic tested
- No growth in normal individuals; blood should remain sterile in healthy, non-infected individuals
Interpretation
- Positive Culture Results:
  - Indicates presence of aerobic bacteria in blood (true bacteremia or contamination must be differentiated)
  - Organism identification: Specific bacterial species reported (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa)
  - Early growth (within 24 hours): Suggests acute, aggressive infection or high bacterial load
  - Late growth (after 48+ hours): May indicate slower-growing organisms or contamination
- Negative Culture Results:
  - No bacterial growth: Rules out bacteremia; suggests infection is non-bacterial or localized
  - May still have clinical infection if already on antibiotics at time of collection
- Susceptibility Patterns:
  - Susceptible (S): Organism likely to respond to standard antibiotic therapy at recommended doses
  - Intermediate (I): Organism may respond at higher antibiotic doses; clinical judgment needed
  - Resistant (R): Organism unlikely to respond; alternative antibiotics recommended
- Factors Affecting Results:
  - Prior antibiotic therapy reduces culture positivity
  - Contamination during collection can produce false positives (common skin commensals)
  - Insufficient blood volume or improper collection technique may yield false negatives
  - Timing of collection relative to fever spikes influences detection rates
Associated Organs
- Primary Organ Systems Involved:
  - Cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels) – Endocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis
  - Central nervous system – Bacterial meningitis, brain abscess
  - Respiratory system – Pneumonia with septicemia, empyema
  - Gastrointestinal system – Peritonitis, appendicitis with bacteremia
  - Urinary system – Pyelonephritis, prostatitis with bacteremia
  - Musculoskeletal system – Osteomyelitis, septic arthritis
- Diseases Diagnosed or Monitored:
  - Sepsis and septic shock – Life-threatening systemic inflammatory response
  - Infective endocarditis – Bacterial infection of heart valves or endocardium
  - Bacteremia – Presence of bacteria in circulating blood
  - Nosocomial infections – Hospital-acquired infections including central line infections
  - Immunocompromised state infections – In HIV/AIDS, cancer patients, transplant recipients
- Potential Complications:
  - Organ dysfunction and multi-organ failure if bacteremia untreated
  - Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) – Severe bleeding complications
  - Secondary metastatic infections – Spread to distant organs (bone, joints, meninges)
  - Mortality risk – High death rate if sepsis progresses untreated
Follow-up Tests
- Recommended Based on Positive Results:
  - Repeat blood cultures – To confirm clearance of bacteremia and assess treatment response (48-72 hours post-antibiotic therapy)
  - Echocardiography – Transthoracic or transesophageal if endocarditis suspected
  - Imaging studies – CT/MRI to identify source of infection (abscess, osteomyelitis)
  - Lumbar puncture – If CNS infection suspected (meningitis)
- Supportive Diagnostic Tests:
  - Complete blood count (CBC) – Assesses white blood cell response and anemia
  - Procalcitonin levels – Biomarker for bacterial infection severity
  - C-reactive protein (CRP) – Inflammatory marker to monitor infection resolution
  - Lactate levels – Indicator of tissue perfusion and severity of sepsis
  - Anaerobic blood cultures – If anaerobic bacteria suspected (concurrent with aerobic)
- Monitoring Schedule:
  - Acute phase: Daily clinical assessment during hospitalization; repeat cultures if fever persists
  - Follow-up: Post-discharge clinical visits at 1-2 weeks and 4 weeks if needed
Fasting Required?
- No fasting required – Blood cultures can be collected at any time
- Patient Preparation Requirements:
  - Skin preparation: Collection site cleaned with 70% isopropyl alcohol or chlorhexidine to prevent contamination
  - Antiseptic drying time: Allow skin preparation to air dry (not blotted) for optimal effect
  - Volume requirements: Minimum 10 mL blood per aerobic bottle; 3-5 mL per pediatric bottle
  - Collection tubes: Use sterile culture bottles with appropriate growth media (aerobic bottles for this test)
- Medications:
  - No medications need be withheld for collection; however, samples should ideally be drawn before initiating antibiotics
  - If patient already on antibiotics, notify laboratory as this significantly reduces culture positivity
- Special Instructions:
  - Multiple collections recommended: At least 2-3 separate blood cultures increase detection sensitivity
  - Timing: Collect during febrile episodes when possible for better bacterial yield
  - Transport: Deliver samples to laboratory promptly without refrigeration; maintain at room temperature
  - Labeling: Ensure proper specimen identification with patient name, ID, collection date/time, and collector initials

How our test process works!