Culture & Sensitivity, Aerobic bacteria Stool (Manual method)

Bacterial/ Viral

Report in 72Hrs

At Home

No Fasting Required

Details

Identify pathogenic aerobic bacteria in the stool (feces) that may be causing gastrointestinal infections

₹169₹1,750

90% OFF

Culture & Sensitivity Aerobic bacteria Stool (Manual method)

Why is it done?
- Identifies and isolates aerobic bacterial pathogens present in stool samples that may be causing gastrointestinal infections or illness
- Determines antibiotic susceptibility patterns of isolated bacteria to guide appropriate antimicrobial therapy
- Diagnoses bacterial gastroenteritis caused by pathogens such as Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, E. coli, and other pathogenic organisms
- Ordered when patients present with symptoms of acute diarrhea, bloody stools, persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, or suspected foodborne illness
- Typically performed during acute episodes of diarrhea or gastrointestinal distress, or when infection is suspected in immunocompromised patients
- Used in clinical surveillance and epidemiological investigations of infectious disease outbreaks
Normal Range
- Normal Result: No growth or no pathogenic bacteria detected (Negative)
- Abnormal Result: Growth of pathogenic aerobic bacteria detected (Positive)
- Units of Measurement: Bacterial identification and colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) when quantified; Susceptibility reported as sensitive (S), intermediate (I), or resistant (R) to specific antibiotics
- Interpretation of Normal: Absence of pathogenic aerobic bacteria indicates no acute bacterial gastroenteritis; normal commensal flora may be reported as 'normal flora' without specific identification
- Interpretation of Abnormal: Identifies specific bacterial pathogen(s) causing infection; associated sensitivity data guides targeted antibiotic therapy; growth quantity may indicate significance of finding
Interpretation
- Negative Culture (No Growth): Indicates absence of pathogenic aerobic bacteria; bacterial gastroenteritis is unlikely; symptoms may be attributable to viral infection, parasites, non-infectious causes, or prior antibiotic use
- Positive Culture - Salmonella species: Indicates salmonellosis; associated with fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and potentially systemic infection in severe cases
- Positive Culture - Shigella species: Indicates shigellosis; associated with bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, and tenesmus; highly contagious with potential for outbreaks
- Positive Culture - Campylobacter jejuni: Indicates campylobacteriosis; associated with inflammatory diarrhea, fever, and potential post-infectious complications such as Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Positive Culture - Pathogenic E. coli (ETEC, EAEC, EIEC, STEC): Indicates pathogenic E. coli infection; severity varies by pathotype; STEC may cause hemolytic uremic syndrome in severe cases
- Positive Culture - Other Gram-Negative Organisms: Including Vibrio species, Aeromonas, Klebsiella, or Proteus; clinical significance depends on organism identified and patient immunological status
- Antibiotic Sensitivity - Sensitive (S): Indicates organism is susceptible to tested antibiotic at therapeutic doses; recommended for clinical use in treatment
- Antibiotic Sensitivity - Intermediate (I): Indicates uncertain clinical efficacy; organism response unpredictable; use only if no susceptible alternative available or at higher drug concentrations
- Antibiotic Sensitivity - Resistant (R): Indicates organism will not respond to tested antibiotic; alternative therapeutic agents required; important for preventing treatment failures
- Factors Affecting Results: Prior antibiotic use may suppress bacterial growth; specimen collection timing (early in infection optimal); improper specimen handling or delayed transport; contamination during collection; use of preservatives or fixatives; presence of inhibitory substances in sample
- Clinical Significance: Positive results confirm bacterial etiology of gastrointestinal infection and directly guide antimicrobial therapy; reduces unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotic use; supports epidemiological tracking of resistant organisms; aids in prevention and infection control measures
Associated Organs
- Primary Organ System: Gastrointestinal tract, including small intestine, colon, and rectum
- Diseases/Conditions Associated with Abnormal Results: Acute bacterial gastroenteritis, salmonellosis, shigellosis, campylobacteriosis, pathogenic E. coli infection, Vibrio infections, foodborne illness, infectious diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease with superimposed infection, antibiotic-associated diarrhea with secondary bacterial overgrowth
- Common Symptoms Associated with Positive Results: Acute diarrhea, bloody stools, abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting, tenesmus, urgency of defecation, malaise
- Potential Complications of Untreated/Severe Infections: Severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, toxic megacolon, intestinal perforation, sepsis and bacteremia, hemolytic uremic syndrome (particularly with STEC), post-infectious complications (Guillain-Barré syndrome with Campylobacter), reactive arthritis, malnutrition, and chronic sequelae in immunocompromised individuals
- Secondary System Involvement: Severe infections may affect cardiovascular system (shock), kidneys (acute kidney injury), liver, neurological system, and systemic inflammatory response
- High-Risk Populations: Immunocompromised patients, elderly individuals, children under 5 years, pregnant women, patients with inflammatory bowel disease, those with malnutrition or severe underlying conditions
Follow-up Tests
- Based on Positive Culture Results: Repeat stool culture if symptoms persist after treatment to assess treatment efficacy; consider extended culture duration if initially negative but clinical suspicion remains high
- Complementary Diagnostic Tests: Stool culture & sensitivity for anaerobic bacteria; stool microscopy for parasites; stool toxin testing for Clostridioides difficile if applicable; viral testing if bacterial culture negative; ova and parasite examination; immunological testing for specific pathogens
- Tests to Monitor Treatment Response: Follow-up stool culture 48-72 hours after antibiotic initiation; clinical assessment of symptom resolution; repeat culture if symptoms persist beyond expected treatment duration
- Blood Culture: Recommended if patient presents with fever, sepsis, or signs of systemic infection to detect bacteremia
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): To assess for elevated white blood cells, signs of sepsis, or anemia resulting from chronic infection or bleeding
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: To evaluate electrolyte balance, renal function, and liver function in cases of severe infection
- Prothrombin Time (PT) and Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT): If disseminated intravascular coagulation or severe sepsis is suspected
- Stool Leukocytes: To assess for inflammatory diarrhea; presence suggests invasive bacterial infection rather than toxin-mediated disease
- Imaging Studies: Abdominal imaging (CT, ultrasound) if complications such as toxic megacolon or perforation are suspected
- Monitoring Frequency: Uncomplicated cases: single culture at presentation; complicated or immunocompromised patients: repeat culture at 48-72 hours and again post-treatment; hospitalized patients: daily clinical assessment with repeat cultures if clinical deterioration occurs
Fasting Required?
- Fasting Requirement: No
- Patient Preparation Instructions: No special dietary restrictions or fasting required; patient may eat and drink normally before specimen collection
- Specimen Collection Timing: Collect specimen as early as possible in the course of illness (within first 3-5 days of symptom onset); optimal for bacterial recovery; avoid collection after antibiotic therapy initiated when possible
- Medication Restrictions: Avoid or defer collection if patient has started antibiotic therapy, as antibiotics may suppress bacterial growth and result in false-negative culture; if antibiotics already initiated, obtain specimen as soon as possible before levels become inhibitory
- Avoid Contamination: Do not include urine, toilet paper, water, or other contaminants in specimen
- Specimen Volume: Minimum 5-10 grams (approximately 5-10 mL) of fresh stool; avoid dried specimens or minimal amounts
- Container Requirements: Use sterile, leak-proof container provided by laboratory; avoid formalin-fixed or preservative-containing containers unless specifically directed
- Transport and Storage: Transport specimen to laboratory promptly (within 1-2 hours of collection); maintain sample at room temperature; avoid refrigeration unless transport will exceed 2 hours; do not freeze sample; delayed transport may result in overgrowth of normal flora or death of pathogens
- Labeling Requirements: Clearly label container with patient name, identification number, date and time of collection, and clinical indication for test

How our test process works!