Q-Fever
Q Fever
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi that is difficult to culture in the laboratory. Serological testing, such as enzyme immunoassays and Western blot tests, are commonly used to confirm the diagnosis of Lyme disease.
The bacterial infection that often requires confirmation through serological testing due to the difficulty in culturing the causative organism is Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. This spirochete is challenging to isolate in the laboratory, so serological tests, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and Western blotting, are commonly used to detect antibodies against the bacteria in the patient's blood.
Testing for chlamydia is very specific. A regular bacterial culture or wet smear will not detect chlamydia.
Chloramphenicol is used to treat bacterial infections. Some infections are incorrectly assumed to be fungal infections but may actually be bacterial infections. It is best to be sure by testing for the specific cause of the infection.
Red rods on slides may indicate a bacterial infection such as Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae. These bacteria can appear as small red rods under a microscope when stained with certain dyes. Identification of specific bacteria usually requires additional testing beyond just visual observation on slides.
"No infective organism" on a pap smear means there were no obvious signs of trichomonas, yeast, or bacterial vaginosis. It can't be assumed that there is no infection, so if you are at risk or have concerns about infection, contact your health care provider for advice about specific testing.
An increased number of pus cells in a blood test typically indicates infection or inflammation in the body. This could be due to a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. Further evaluation and testing may be needed to determine the specific cause of the elevated pus cells.
No growth in a urine culture means that there was no bacterial growth detected in the sample. This could indicate that there is no bacterial infection present in the urinary tract or that the sample was not collected properly. Further testing may be needed if symptoms persist.
Urine samples for testing should ideally be tested within 24 hours to ensure accurate results, especially when infection is suspected. If immediate testing is not possible, the sample can be refrigerated at around 4°C (39°F) for up to 48 hours. Beyond that time frame, bacterial growth may affect the results.
Acid fast bacilli test. Most frequently referenced in testing for tuberculosis.