A blood culture is a laboratory test to check for bacteria or other microorganisms in a blood sample. Most cultures check for bacteria.
A culture may be done using a sample of blood, tissue, stool, urine, or other fluid from the body. See also:
Culture - blood
How the test is performedA blood sample is needed. Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.
Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.
It is very important that the blood sample does not become contaminated. The sample is sent to a laboratory, where it is placed in a special dish and watched to see if microorganisms grow. This is called a culture. Most cultures check for bacteria. If bacteria does grow, further tests will be done to identify the specific type.
A gram stain may also be done. A gram stain is a method of identifying microorganisms (bacteria) using a special series of stains (colors). For example, see skin lesion gram stain.
How to prepare for the testNo special preparation is needed for a blood culture. For information on preparing for a blood sample, see venipuncture.
How the test will feelThere is no pain associated with a blood culture. For information on how giving a blood sample feels, see venipuncture.
Why the test is performedYour doctor may order this test if you have symptoms of a blood infection such as bacteremia or septicemia, a serious, life-threatening infection that gets worse very quickly.
The blood culture will help identify the type of bacteria causing the infection. This helps the doctor determine your best course of treatment.
Normal ValuesA normal value means that no bacteria or other microorganisms grew in the laboratory dish.
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanAn abnormal (positive) result usually means that you have bacteria or other microorganisms in your blood. This is a sign of infection.
However, contamination of the blood sample can lead to a false-positive result, which means you do not have a true infection. Your health care provider can help determine the difference.
What the risks areThe blood culture is done in a lab. There are no risks to the patient. For information on risks related to giving a blood sample, see venipuncture.
Special considerationsA bacterial blood infection sometimes comes and goes, so a series of three blood cultures may be done to confirm results.
ReferencesShapiro NI, Zimmer GD, Barkin AZ. Sepsis syndromes. In: Marx, JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006: chap 136.
Croft AC, Woods GL. Specimen collection and handling for diagnosis of Infectious Diseases. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:chap 63.
Murray PR, Witebsky FG. The clinician and the microbiology laboratory. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 17.
A blood culture is a laboratory test to check for bacteria or other microorganisms in a blood sample. Most cultures check for bacteria.
A culture may be done using a sample of blood, tissue, stool, urine, or other fluid from the body. See also:
Culture - blood
How the test is performedA blood sample is needed. For information on how this is done, see: Venipuncture
The sample is sent to a laboratory, where it is placed in a special dish and watched to see if germs grow. This is called a culture. Most cultures check for bacteria. If bacteria does grow, further tests will be done to identify the specific type.
A gram stain may also be done. A gram stain is a method of identifying microorganisms (bacteria) using a special series of stains (colors). For example, see skin lesion gram stain.
Why the test is performedYour doctor may order this test if you have symptoms of a serious blood infection. Symptoms include high fever, chills, rapid breathing and heart rate, confusion, and very low blood pressure. See also: bacteremia or septicemia
The blood culture will help identify the type of bacteria causing the infection. This helps the doctor determine your best course of treatment.
Normal ValuesA normal value means that no bacteria or other germs were seen in your blood sample.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanAn abnormal (positive) result usually means that you have an infection called sepsis. Sepsis is a severe illness in which your blood is overwhelmed by bacteria. If you have sepsis, you will be admitted to a hospital.
Other types of germs, such as a fungus or a virus, may also be found in a blood culture.
Sometimes, an abnormal result can be due to contamination. This means bacteria may be found, but it came from your skin or from the lab equipment, instead of your blood. This is called a false-positive result. It means you do not have a true infection.
What the risks areThe blood culture is done in a lab. There are no risks to the patient. For information on risks related to giving a blood sample, see venipuncture.
Special considerationsA bacterial blood infection sometimes comes and goes, so a series of three blood cultures may be done to confirm results.
ReferencesShapiro NI, Zimmer GD, Barkin AZ. Sepsis syndromes. In: Marx, JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006: chap 136.
Croft AC, Woods GL. Specimen collection and handling for diagnosis of infectious diseases. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:chap 63.
Murray PR, Witebsky FG. The clinician and the microbiology laboratory. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 17.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 10/26/2011
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
which media or both use for blood culture
5 days
Preliminary urine culture might just be a Urinalysis (UA), in which they check for white blood cells in sample. White blood cells are a sign of inflammation. No matter what the preliminary culture says, you should wait for the results of the Urine Culture (24-48 hours) as it can provide more information about the possible infection.
Complex medium
because blood agar contain only blood, the culture from the mouth might not grow properly, whereas nutrient agar contain mixture of nutrient and blood, therefore culture from the mouth will properly.
To say that something is in your blood is figurative speech, culture is not really in your blood. You can celebrate anything that is celebrated in your family's culture.
Ethnic culture is the culture of your ancestors or your blood line
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A blood culture
the grey tube is used for culture and sensitivity
1 ml blood is ok for blood culture
which media or both use for blood culture
Blood Culture
viral infection
A blood culture is done when a person has symptoms of a blood infection, also called bacteremia. Blood is drawn from the person one or more times and is tested in a laboratory to find and identify any microorganism present and growing in the blood.
A blood culture is a lab test done to see if there are any bacteria in the blood.
go to a docter