Culture & Sensitivity, Aerobic bacteria Respiratory Samples BAL,ET Secretions

This test is done to culture bacterium responsible for causing pneumonia and also to establish the antibiotics that can be used against that bacterium. The symptoms include cough, sputum production, breathlessness, pain during deep breath or cough, fatigue, fever, chills, sweating.

This test establishes presence or absence of significant bacterial growth in samples from lower respiratory tract. If significant growth is found then antibiotic susceptibility testing is also done.

This test requires a lower respiratory tract sample. The samples are collected by the prescribing doctor

No growth or insignificant growth

• No growth/ Insignificant growth: This means that bacterium aetiology in the sample could not be established. Significant
• Growth: This means that bacterium was isolated in significant numbers thus implying it to be the causative agent. The sensitivity of the bacterium towards various antibiotics is also reported. The result have to be correlated clinically and other laboratory finding.

Results may be false negative under the following conditions:

1. Patient is on antibiotics

2. Infection due to a fastidious or fungi (this test is for routine aerobic bacteria only) Results may be false positive if contamination occurs while collecting the sample