Culture Aerobic Blood (Automated), Adult
Understanding Culture Aerobic Blood (Automated), Adult
What is Culture Aerobic Blood (Automated), Adult?
A Culture Aerobic Blood (Automated), Adult test detects and identifies the presence of bacteria or fungi in the blood of adults. It helps diagnose bacterial infections of the blood (bacteremia), sepsis, and other infections that can become fatal if not treated promptly. On identification of the organism, antibiotic susceptibilities are performed to aid in the selection of appropriate antibiotics for treatment.
Bacteremia or infections of the blood occur secondary to infections at other sites of the body such as lungs, urinary tract, skin, etc., medical procedures, or due to invasive devices such as catheters. A Culture Aerobic Blood (Automated), Adult test identifies the aerobic bacteria or fungi (those that need oxygen for survival) that cause bacteremia or other severe infections. This helps the doctor select appropriate antibiotics to optimize treatment outcomes and minimize the development of antibiotic resistance.
The doctor may suggest this test if you experience symptoms suggestive of bacteremia, such as fever, chills, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, etc. A Culture Aerobic Blood (Automated), Adult test employs rapid automated cultures, which can identify the organisms earlier and with increased sensitivity compared to conventional culture.
No special preparation is needed for this test. However, inform the doctor about all the medications you may be taking, as they might interfere with the test results, and the doctor may ask to discontinue them temporarily.
Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Based on these, the doctor analyzes which medications are best for treating the present condition and whether more testing or procedures are necessary to ensure effective therapy.
What is Culture Aerobic Blood (Automated), Adult used for?
A Culture Aerobic Blood (Automated), Adult test can be done:
- In case signs or symptoms of infection/sepsis, including fever, rapid heart rate, nausea, confusion, and reduced frequency of urination are noticed.
- In critically ill patients, individuals with recent infections, those with a history of recent surgery or valve replacement, or when there is a high risk of systemic infections
- To monitor response to an ongoing treatment.
What does Culture Aerobic Blood (Automated), Adult measure?
A Culture Aerobic Blood (Automated), Adult test can help detect pathogens such as bacteria or fungi that can cause blood infections (bacteremia). Severe infection may lead to sepsis, which is a life-threatening emergency that needs immediate medical attention. Identifying the right cause of infection makes initiating treatment and formulating an effective treatment plan easier.
A Culture Aerobic Blood (Automated), Adult is a simple test in which the blood sample is placed in a special container designed to encourage the growth of aerobic bacteria that require oxygen for survival. After some time, the blood sample is examined under a microscope to determine if bacteria are present.
If test results are positive, the infection-causing bacteria is identified, and an antibiotic susceptibility test may be conducted to determine which antibiotics would be effective for treatment. If yeasts or fungi are the source of infection, appropriate treatment for fungal infections can be commenced.