Bacteria Culture Test
A bacteria culture test can determine if you have a bacterial infection and, if so, which type of bacteria is causing it.
A bacteria culture test can determine if you have a bacterial infection and, if so, which type of bacteria is causing it. To do a bacterial culture test, you will need to give a sample of your blood, urine, skin, or other tissue. The type of sample depends on where the infection is located. Bacteria are one-celled organisms. There are many different kinds of bacteria. They live just about everywhere in your body and on your skin. Some types of bacteria are harmless or even helpful, while other bacteria can cause infections and disease. Knowing what type of bacteria is causing your infection helps determine the best treatment. Your health care provider will need to examine many bacteria cells to find out the type of bacteria. Your sample will be sent to a lab where the bacteria cells will be put in a dish with a special substance that allows bacteria to grow. It normally takes one to two days to grow enough bacteria for the test. So your test results are often ready within a few days. But some types of bacteria grow slowly, so sometimes your results may take several days or longer.
Why is this test ordered? Your provider may order a bacteria culture test if you have symptoms of a bacterial infection. The symptoms vary depending on the type of infection.
Clinical Interpretation
If harmful bacteria are found in your sample , it usually means you have a bacterial infection. The test should also identify what type of bacteria is causing the infection. Your provider may order more tests to confirm the diagnosis or to see how serious the infection is. Your provider may also order a test to determine which medicine will best treat the type of bacteria causing your infection. This test is called an antibiotic sensitivity test or a susceptibility test. It checks to see how sensitive the bacteria are to different antibiotic medicines . If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider. Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results .
Clinical Protocol & Patient Advice
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There are many different types of bacteria culture tests. Ask your provider if you need to do anything to prepare for your test.
Usage Guidance
- Reference ranges vary by laboratory. Always discuss your specific results with a qualified healthcare professional.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. View the original.