Culture & Sensitivity, Aerobic bacteria Other samples (Manual method)

Bacterial/ Viral

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No Fasting Required

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Identifies aerobic bacterial infections from non-routine clinical samples.It also determines which antibiotics are most effective against the detected organism

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Culture & Sensitivity Aerobic bacteria Other samples (Manual method)

Why is it done?
- Identifies and isolates aerobic bacterial pathogens from various clinical samples including wound swabs, sputum, body fluids, and tissue specimens
- Determines antimicrobial susceptibility patterns to guide targeted antibiotic therapy
- Ordered when infection is suspected based on clinical presentation (fever, purulent discharge, inflammation, systemic symptoms)
- Performed during active infection or within 24-48 hours of symptom onset for optimal recovery
- Essential for monitoring treatment efficacy and adjusting antibiotic regimens in resistant infections
- Commonly used in diagnostic evaluation of respiratory tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, abdominal infections, and post-surgical infections
Normal Range
- Negative Result: No growth of aerobic bacteria after standard incubation period (24-48 hours); indicates absence of bacterial infection or normal flora
- Sterile Culture: Normal result for most body sites; expected outcome for properly collected and processed samples from non-infected sources
- Normal Flora Only: Growth of expected commensal bacteria consistent with sample source; indicates no pathogenic organisms detected
- Units: Colony Forming Units per milliliter (CFU/mL) or qualitative descriptors (scanty, moderate, heavy growth); sensitivity results reported as susceptible (S), intermediate (I), or resistant (R)
Interpretation
- Positive Culture (Bacterial Growth): Indicates presence of aerobic bacterial pathogen; significance depends on organism type, specimen source, and colony count; single pathogen from normally sterile site (blood, CSF, joint fluid) usually clinically significant
- Multiple Organisms: May represent true polymicrobial infection (especially in abdominal or wound samples) or contamination; clinical correlation necessary to distinguish
- Susceptibility Results: Susceptible (S) = organism likely to respond to antibiotic therapy; Intermediate (I) = uncertain clinical efficacy; Resistant (R) = organism unlikely to respond; guides antibiotic selection and dosing
- Contaminant vs. Pathogen: Coagulase-negative staphylococci, corynebacterium, and propionibacterium may be contaminants if isolated as single organisms from non-sterile sites; clinical context and specimen quality assessment crucial
- Colony Count Significance: Quantitative results help differentiate infection from colonization; ≥10^5 CFU/mL typically indicates significant infection; lower counts may represent contamination or early infection
- Factors Affecting Results: Specimen collection technique, time delay in processing, prior antibiotic therapy, immune status, sample contamination, and appropriate specimen preservation all influence culture results
Associated Organs
- Primary Systems Involved: Respiratory system (lungs, airways), integumentary system (skin, wounds), gastrointestinal system (GI tract), urinary system, bloodstream/cardiovascular system, and central nervous system
- Common Infections Detected: Pneumonia, bronchitis, wound infections, abscess, peritonitis, meningitis, bacteremia, endocarditis, urinary tract infections, and otitis media
- Common Pathogenic Organisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus species, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus species, and Acinetobacter baumannii
- Associated Medical Conditions: Sepsis, abscess formation, surgical site infections, healthcare-associated infections (HAI), immunocompromised states, nosocomial infections, and multi-drug resistant infections
- Potential Complications: Delayed treatment of positive cultures may lead to progression of infection, septic shock, organ failure, and increased mortality; antibiotic resistance complications may develop with inappropriate therapy
- Risk Factors for Abnormal Results: Immunosuppression, diabetes, recent surgery, invasive procedures, prolonged hospitalization, broad-spectrum antibiotic exposure, and underlying chronic diseases
Follow-up Tests
- Extended Susceptibility Testing: E-test, broth microdilution, or automated systems for quantitative Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination; essential for resistant organisms or complicated infections
- Blood Cultures: Recommended in febrile patients or those with signs of systemic infection to rule out bacteremia; should be collected prior to antibiotic therapy initiation
- Anaerobic Culture: Often ordered simultaneously with aerobic cultures to detect anaerobic pathogens, particularly in abdominal, pelvic, and oral infections; may reveal polymicrobial infections
- Repeat Culture: Recommended 48-72 hours after initiating therapy to document clearance of infection; particularly important in bacteremia, endocarditis, and osteomyelitis
- Gram Stain: Provides rapid preliminary identification of bacterial morphology and provides preliminary results within 24 hours; guides initial empiric therapy
- PCR and Molecular Methods: May be ordered for rapid identification and detection of resistance genes; particularly useful for fastidious organisms or culture-negative infections
- Imaging Studies: CT scan, ultrasound, or X-ray may be indicated to identify infection source, localize abscess formation, or assess extent of disease
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): Recommended to assess leukocytosis, left shift, and systemic inflammatory response; helps monitor treatment response
- Procalcitonin or C-Reactive Protein: May be used to assess severity of infection and guide duration of antimicrobial therapy; helps distinguish bacterial from viral infections
- Monitoring Frequency: For acute infections, repeat cultures typically obtained at 48-72 hours; for chronic infections or osteomyelitis, cultures may be obtained at 4-6 week intervals; more frequent monitoring in immunocompromised patients
Fasting Required?
- Fasting Requirement: NO - Fasting is not required for culture and sensitivity testing
- Sample Collection Requirements: Samples must be collected using sterile technique with appropriate collection containers (sterile swabs, tubes, or syringes depending on specimen type)
- Timing Considerations: Samples should be collected before antibiotic therapy initiated when possible; if antibiotics already started, document the antibiotic name, dose, route, and time of last dose
- Sample Processing: Process samples promptly (within 2 hours of collection); refrigerate if transport delay is anticipated; maintain sterility and prevent desiccation of specimens
- Specimen-Specific Instructions: Wound swabs: use sterile cotton swabs and transport in sterile saline-moistened swab containers; respiratory samples: use sterile sputum cups or suction traps; body fluids: use sterile tubes without preservatives
- Medication Avoidance: No specific medications need to be avoided prior to collection; however, antibiotic administration should be timed after sample collection to prevent false negative results
- General Preparation: Proper site cleansing with antiseptic solution recommended but avoid iodine-based antiseptics if iodine allergy present; allow skin antiseptic to air dry for maximum effectiveness

How our test process works!