Culture and Sensitivity Ascitic Fluid

This test is used to detect and analyze the type of bacteria present in the ascitic fluid. The abdominal cavity is filled with a small amount of fluid called as the ascitic fluid. Build up of an excess amount of fluid in the abdominal cavity is called as ascites which may be often caused by bacterial, fungal or viral infections and conditions or diseases affecting the internal organs in the abdomen.

What are culture and sensitivity testing?

In laboratories, the bacteria are often grown with the help of growth media (nutrient preparation which acts as a source of food for the bacteria). The grown bacteria is observed under a microscope to identify the type of bacteria. The process is called as bacterial culturing. The bacterial culturing is often used in the field of medicine to identify the species of bacteria causing the infection and to know what kind of medicines are effective in killing the bacteria and planning the treatment accordingly.

What is Ascitic fluid?

The protein-containing fluid present within the abdomen is called as ascitic fluid. The condition in which excess of ascitic fluid is accumulated within the abdominal cavity is called ascites. This condition may be usually caused in diseases or conditions like liver cirrhosis, bacterial or fungal infections of the abdomen (peritonitis), advanced stages of cancer, liver or kidney failure, intestinal obstruction or ischemia etc. This fluid fills the space between the lining of the abdomen and the organs.

What are Bacteria, and Aerobic Bacteria:

Bacteria are the single-celled microorganisms that can live within the soil, in the ocean and also inside the human gut. They have a number of shapes such as spirals, rods, and spheres etc. Some bacteria can cause illness to the human body and some other plays a major role in the overall functioning of our ecosystem.

Aerobic bacteria are the bacteria which can survive in the presence of oxygen only. In the absence of oxygen, aerobic bacteria cannot survive and can die. Some of the aerobic bacteria are Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Nocardia, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis etc.

Why this test is performed?

This test may be recommended to you if you experience symptoms like abdominal distension, abdominal discomfort, weight gain, shortness of breath, reduced appetite, etc. This test may be specially performed to check if the infection is due to aerobic bacteria or not. This test is also recommended to plan the treatment according to the type of bacteria. The test is also recommended to check the effectiveness of the treatment given.

The normal test results may vary depending on age, health history, medical condition, etc.

If your test results show negative it means there is no growth of aerobic bacteria.

If your test results show positive it may indicate that you may have aerobic bacterial infection in the ascitic fluid.

If you get abnormal test results, consult your doctor immediately with your lab test reports.