Culture Aerobic Miscellaneous with Gram Stain Test

Culture Aerobic miscellaneous with Gram Stain Test

This is a test which is done by a microbiologist who finds out the causative germs responsible for a particular infection especially of skin and soft tissues. The germs detected with the help of this test are different types of bacteria.

Bacteria are microscopic organisms found both inside and outside of various other organisms including human beings. They have different shapes like spherical, rod shape and spiral.Bacterias are also classified depending on their need for oxygen for survival into aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Aerobic bacteria require oxygen for their growth and survival.

Some of these aerobic bacteria can be harmful to humans and cause infections in various parts of the body .The human body fights off these bacteria by activating the immune response which leads to inflammation. The common bacteria which cause these infections are staphylococcus aureus, pseudomonas aeruginosa, types of Enterobacteriaceae, etc

Aerobic culture and gram stain is an important test which helps to identify the disease causing bacteria if present .sensitivity testing may also be done to look for the sensitivity of detected bacteria to different antibiotics.

Why is this test prescribed?

• This test is done to find the causative organism of infection in different types of wounds, sores, burns, injuries.
• This test is also used to find out the antibiotics to which the detected pathogen is sensitive to for appropriate treatment

Procedure and Prerequisites

The sample for this test is taken by a trained professional under strict aseptic precautions. Depending on the type of infection, tissue or fluid(pus) is collected with the help of sterile swab, needle etc and placed in a container. This container or tube contains a medium that causes proliferation of bacteria. This growth of bacteria is then identified with the help of a microscope (after gram stain) and/or chemicals.

There may be some amount of pain while taking a sample for this test. Sometimes local anaesthesia is also given to minimise the pain.

Reference Range

Negative culture-no harmful bacteria detected

Positive culture-harmful bacteria detected

If positive culture is detected then sensitivity testing can be done for appropriate treatment