Culture And Sensitivity Anaerobic Ear Swab
What is this test?
An ear swab may be cultured to the test the sensitivity of the anaerobic bacteria which may be the reason for infections in the ear. Ear infections can be painful because of inflammation and fluid buildup in the ear sections just behind the eardrums. The goal is to see if there is an anaerobic infection present in the ear region. A cotton swab is gently inserted into the ear and turned.
What is an ear infection?
An ear infection occurs when a viral or bacterial organisms affects the middle ear especially the regions behind the eardrum. Ear infections can be acute or chronic. Acute ear infections can be painful but the duration of infection is short. Chronic ear infection takes a longer duration to get cured or may reoccur. The chronic ear infection may cause permanent damage to the middle ear or the inner ear. The symptoms of ear infection are mild pain or discomfort inside the ear, a feeling of pressure inside the ear that persists, fussiness in young infants, pus-like ear drainage, hearing loss, etc.
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 recommended?
This test may be recommended to you if you experience certain symptoms of ear infection like pain or discomfort in the ear, pus-like ear drainage, a feeling of pressure in the ear that persists, fussiness in young children, hearing loss, 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 also recommended to check the effectiveness of the treatment given.
Also known as C/S Anaerobic Ear Swab.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Culture And Sensitivity Anaerobic Ear Swab. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Culture And Sensitivity Anaerobic Ear Swab.
Use moistened swab with sterile saline to remove any debris or crust from the ear canal and discard the swab.
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 in the ear region.
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 |