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Culture & Sensitivity, Aerobic bacteria Stool(Vitek 2 Compact)
Bacterial/ Viral
Report in 72Hrs
At Home
No Fasting Required
Details
Identifies bacteria & antibiotic susceptibility.
₹1,110₹1,586
30% OFF
Culture & Sensitivity Aerobic Bacteria Stool (Vitek 2 Compact)
- Why is it done?
- Identifies and isolates aerobic bacterial pathogens present in stool specimens using selective culture media and the Vitek 2 Compact automated identification system
- Diagnoses bacterial gastroenteritis and infectious diarrhea caused by pathogenic organisms such as Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, pathogenic E. coli, and other enteric pathogens
- Determines antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolated organisms to guide appropriate antibiotic therapy
- Ordered when patients present with acute diarrhea, bloody stools, severe abdominal cramping, and fever suggesting bacterial infection
- Performed in suspected foodborne illness outbreaks and cases of traveler's diarrhea
- Typically performed within 24-48 hours of symptom onset for optimal bacterial recovery
- Normal Range
- Normal Result: No growth or no pathogenic bacteria isolated from culture
- This indicates absence of clinically significant aerobic bacterial pathogens in the stool sample
- Commensal bacteria (normal flora) may be present but are not reported as clinically significant
- Abnormal Result: Positive growth with identification of pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella species, Shigella species, Campylobacter jejuni, enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7, or other enteropathogens)
- Colony count and organism identification reported; susceptibility results reported as Susceptible (S), Intermediate (I), or Resistant (R) to specific antibiotics
- Units: Colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) or semi-quantitative reporting (1+, 2+, 3+, 4+)
- Interpretation
- Negative Culture (No Pathogenic Growth): Suggests non-bacterial etiology (viral, parasitic, or inflammatory); infection excluded; or symptoms may be self-limited or non-infectious; consider other diagnostic tests if clinical suspicion remains high
- Positive Culture with Identified Organism: Confirms bacterial gastroenteritis; organism is likely causative agent; antibiotic therapy recommended based on susceptibility results
- Antimicrobial Susceptibility Results: Susceptible (S) indicates organism inhibited at standard antibiotic concentrations; Intermediate (I) indicates uncertain clinical efficacy; Resistant (R) indicates organism not inhibited; guides selection of appropriate antimicrobial therapy
- Colony Quantity Interpretation: Rare/Light growth may indicate contamination or early infection; Moderate/Heavy growth typically correlates with active infection; Vitek 2 Compact provides automated quantification for standardized interpretation
- Factors Affecting Results: Timing of specimen collection (earlier collection more likely to recover organism); use of antimicrobial agents or antidiarrheal medications; specimen contamination; improper storage or transport; prior antibiotic therapy may reduce recovery
- Clinical Significance: Positive results establish diagnosis of bacterial gastroenteritis; guide antimicrobial therapy; identify outbreak sources; support epidemiological investigations; negative results do not exclude bacterial infection if clinical suspicion remains high
- Associated Organs
- Primary Organ System: Gastrointestinal tract (small intestine and colon); associated organs include stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and rectum
- Common Conditions Associated with Abnormal Results:
- Acute bacterial gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella species (non-typhoidal)
- Shigellosis (Shigella dysenteriae, S. flexneri, S. boydii, S. sonnei)
- Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter jejuni infection)
- Enterohemorrhagic escherichia coli (EHEC) infection, particularly O157:H7 strain
- Foodborne illness and traveler's diarrhea
- Inflammatory bowel disease with secondary bacterial infection
- Potential Complications Associated with Positive Results:
- Severe dehydration from acute diarrhea and vomiting
- Electrolyte imbalances and acidosis
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) associated with EHEC O157:H7
- Systemic infection and septicemia (particularly in immunocompromised patients)
- Post-infectious sequelae including Reactive Arthritis and Guillain-Barré Syndrome
- Intestinal perforation and peritonitis in severe cases
- Follow-up Tests
- Recommended Follow-up Tests Based on Results:
- Stool culture for anaerobic bacteria if clinically indicated
- Ova and parasite (O&P) examination if parasitic infection suspected
- Rotavirus and norovirus antigen testing for viral gastroenteritis
- Clostridioides difficile toxin assay if antibiotic-associated diarrhea suspected
- Blood cultures if bacteremia or systemic infection suspected (fever, elevated inflammatory markers)
- Serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate) for dehydration assessment
- Renal function tests (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen) for HUS or acute kidney injury monitoring
- Complete blood count (CBC) for infection severity assessment and hemolytic anemia screening
- Repeat stool culture in immunocompromised patients or persistent symptoms
- Further Investigation:
- Colonoscopy if inflammatory bowel disease or severe colitis suspected
- Abdominal imaging (CT scan) if complications such as perforation or toxic megacolon suspected
- Shiga toxin assay for EHEC O157:H7 confirmation
- Monitoring Frequency:
- For uncomplicated cases: Clinical improvement expected within 3-5 days; test of cure (repeat stool culture) not routinely recommended unless persistent symptoms
- For chronic or recurrent infections: Repeat culture after completion of antibiotic therapy or if symptoms persist beyond expected resolution
- For public health monitoring: Positive Salmonella and Shigella results require reporting to public health authorities; serial cultures may be performed
- Fasting Required?
- Fasting Required: No
- Patient Preparation Requirements:
- Collect stool specimen in sterile container as soon as possible after defecation, preferably within 2-4 hours of symptom onset for optimal recovery of organisms
- Avoid contamination with urine, water, or toilet paper
- If bloody stools present, select the bloody portion preferentially for culture
- Specimen volume: Minimum 5-10 mL of feces or several fecal material swabs in appropriate collection kit
- Medications to Avoid:
- Avoid antidiarrheal agents (loperamide, bismuth subsalicylate) for 24 hours prior to specimen collection as these may reduce organism recovery
- Discontinue recent antibiotic therapy if possible (consult with healthcare provider); if unavoidable, delay culture for at least 24-48 hours after last antibiotic dose
- Special Instructions:
- Deliver specimen to laboratory within 2 hours of collection for optimal viability; if delayed, refrigerate at 2-8°C (do not freeze)
- For better recovery, submit multiple samples on consecutive days if first culture is negative but clinical suspicion remains high
- Clearly label specimen with patient identification, date, time of collection, and relevant clinical information (fever, bloody stools, antibiotic use)
- No special diet restrictions required prior to specimen collection
How our test process works!
