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🧪 Culture & Sensitivity – Aerobic Bacteria (Other Samples)

🔍 Overview

This test identifies aerobic bacterial infections from non-routine clinical samples such as wound swabs, pus, tissue biopsies, throat swabs, sputum, ear or eye discharge, skin lesions, vaginal swabs, or any site-specific exudate. It also determines which antibiotics are most effective against the detected organism.

📦 Sample Details

Parameter	Details
Sample Type	Wound swab, pus, eye/ear/nasal discharge, sputum, skin scrapings, etc.
Volume/Amount Required	Depends on sample (e.g., swab, 1–2 mL pus/fluid, tissue fragment)
Collection Method	Aseptic collection in sterile containers or transport media
Fasting Required	❌ No
Transport Time	Preferably within 1–2 hours
Processing Time	24–48 hrs for preliminary report 5–7 days for final culture + sensitivity
Lab Department	Microbiology

🎯 Purpose of the Test

Goal	Application
Identify aerobic bacteria	Causing local or systemic infections
Guide antibiotic therapy	Based on organism’s susceptibility
Prevent inappropriate treatment	Avoid resistance and reduce complications
Monitor chronic/recurrent cases	Especially in diabetics, immunocompromised

🦠 Common Pathogens Detected

Sample Site	Likely Bacteria
Wound / Ulcer / Pus	Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas, E. coli, Proteus
Ear Discharge	Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staph aureus
Eye Discharge	Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus
Throat Swab	Strep pyogenes, Neisseria, Corynebacterium
Sputum	Klebsiella, Streptococcus pneumoniae, H. influenzae
Vaginal Swab	Gardnerella, E. coli, Enterococcus, Staph
Skin/Nail Scrapings	Staph aureus, occasionally fungi (requires fungal culture)

🧬 Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing (AST)

Performed using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion or automated systems, this assesses:

Which antibiotics will work (Sensitive – S)
May partially work (Intermediate – I)
Will not work (Resistant – R)

This guides precise antimicrobial treatment.

📊 Interpreting Results

Result	Meaning
✅ No Growth	No aerobic bacterial infection detected
⚠️ Growth of Pathogen	Infection confirmed, therapy guided by sensitivity report
❌ Contaminants	Possible if improper collection or non-sterile site sample used

🧪 Recommended Additional Tests

Test	Purpose
Gram Stain	Preliminary ID: Gram +ve / -ve and shape
Fungal Culture	If fungal infection suspected (esp. in skin/nail/eye)
AFB Stain / TB PCR	In chronic discharges or if TB is suspected
CBC, ESR, CRP	Assess systemic inflammation or infection severity
Blood Culture	If systemic spread (sepsis) is suspected
Wound Biopsy (if deep)	Especially in chronic diabetic wounds

🧠 Clinical Significance

Use Case	Why This Test is Critical
Chronic non-healing ulcers	Rule out multidrug-resistant or hospital-acquired infections
ENT infections (otitis, conjunctivitis)	Identify fastidious organisms and guide local treatment
Sputum in COPD, pneumonia	Prevent misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics
Diabetic foot infections	Early, precise intervention can prevent amputation

📌 Summary Table

Aspect	Details
Sample Types	Swabs, pus, discharges, sputum, scrapings, etc.
Tests For	Aerobic bacterial growth + antibiotic susceptibility
Conditions Diagnosed	Wound infections, ENT infections, respiratory, skin/soft tissue infections
Next Steps	Antibiotic adjustment, isolation precautions, further evaluation

Culture & Sensitivity, Aerobic bacteria Other samples