Anaerobic Culture And Sensitivity
Detection of anaerobic bacteria is important as they are capable of causing life threatening infections, which may lead to sepsis, organ failure, meningitis, amputation and death. Therefore, an anaerobic culture is required to grow and detect such microbes and initiate effective antibiotic treatment.
Why is the test ordered?
The test may be ordered to grow and identify anaerobes capable of causing infections in a patient's body, in order to make decisions about an appropriate treatment for the infection caused by anaerobic microbes.
How is the sample collected?
Anaerobes are usually confined to abscesses, deep wounds, dead tissues and exudative body fluids. Therefore an aseptic technique should be followed while collecting the sample, which means the sample must be protected from oxygen and must be stored and tested appropriately. The specimens from where the anaerobes are most likely to be obtained include
How to prepare for the test?
No special preparations are required for this test.
