Culture And Sensitivity Anaerobic Bronchoalveolar Lavage
What is this test?
Bronchoalveolar lavage may be cultured to test the sensitivity of the bacteria. The test helps in diagnosing the cause of infection. The goal is to see if there is an anaerobic infection present in the lungs. For this test bronchoalveolar lavage is collected by your healthcare provider and sent to the laboratory.
What is bronchoalveolar lavage?
Bronchoalveolar lavage is a diagnostic procedure by which cells and other components from bronchial and alveolar spaces are obtained. The components collected are subjected to various tests for the diagnosis.
What are anaerobic bacteria?
Anaerobic bacteria are bacteria that can not survive in the presence of oxygen. Some of the examples of anaerobic bacteria are Staphylococcus, E.Coli, Clostridium, Actinomyces, Acetobacterium, etc. The growth of anaerobic bacteria causes anaerobic infections. Anaerobic infections can occur when deep tissues are injured or exposed. This can occur due to surgery or trauma, etc. The risk factors of getting an anaerobic infection are diabetes, a weak immune system, low blood flow, staph infection, open wounds, etc. The common symptoms of anaerobic infection are smelly discharge, pus-filled abscess, discoloration of the infected area, etc.
Why this test is performed?
This test may be recommended to you if have symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections like cough, sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing, chest tightness, wheezing, fever, etc. This test may be specially performed to check if the infection is due to anaerobic bacteria or not. This test is also recommended to plan the treatment according to the type of bacteria. The test is recommended to check the effectiveness of the treatment given.
Also known as C/S Anaerobic Bronchoalveolar Lavage.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Culture And Sensitivity Anaerobic Bronchoalveolar Lavage. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Culture And Sensitivity Anaerobic Bronchoalveolar Lavage.
No specific preparation is required for this bronchoalveolar lavage culture and sensitivity test.
Understanding your test results
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 anaerobic bacteria.
If your test results show positive it may indicate that you may have an anaerobic bacterial infection.
If you get abnormal test results, consult your doctor immediately with your lab test reports.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| UNISEX | All age groups | The growth depends on the infecting organism. Clearing around the disc indicates organism is sensitive to antibiotic |