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Mycobacterial culture

Definition

Mycobacterial culture is a test to look for the bacteria that cause tuberculosis and other infections caused by similar bacteria.

Alternative Names

Culture - mycobacterial

How the Test is Performed

A sample of body fluid or tissue is needed. This sample may be taken from the lungs, liver, or bone marrow.

Most often, a sputum sample will be taken. To obtain a sample, you will be asked to cough deeply and spit out the material that comes up from your lungs.

A biopsy or aspiration may also be done.

The sample is sent to a laboratory. There it is placed in a special dish (culture). It is then watched for up to 6 weeks to see if the bacteria grow.

How to Prepare for the Test

Preparation depends on how the test is done. Follow your health care provider's instructions.

How the Test will Feel

How the test will feel depends on the specific procedure. Your provider can discuss this with you before the test.

Why the Test is Performed

Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of tuberculosis or a related infection.

Normal Results

If there is no disease present, there will be no growth of bacteria in the culture medium.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Mycobacterium tuberculosis or similar bacteria is present in the culture.

Risks

Risks depend on the specific biopsy or aspiration being performed.

Gallery

Liver culture
During a liver biopsy, a needle is inserted into the liver and a tissue sample is withdrawn and sent to the laboratory for testing. The test is performed to determine the presence of tuberculosis infection in the liver.
Sputum test
A sputum sample is obtained by coughing deeply and expelling the material that comes from the lungs into a sterile cup. The sample is taken to a laboratory and placed in a medium under conditions that allow the organisms to grow. A positive culture may identify disease-producing organisms that may help diagnose bronchitis, tuberculosis, a lung abscess, or pneumonia.

References

Fitzgerald DW, Sterling TR, Haas DW. Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 249.

Rodino KG, Woods GL, Wengenack NL. Mycobacteria. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 59.

Last reviewed November 23, 2021 by Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team..

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