Culture And Sensitivity Anaerobic Pleural Fluid
What is this test?
Pleural fluid may be cultured to test the sensitivity of the bacteria which may be the reason for infections. This test helps in diagnosing the cause of accumulation of fluid in the chest (pleural effusion). This test is performed on the pleural fluid collected by your healthcare provider. If there is a growth of bacteria in the culture, then it indicates that the pleural fluid is infected with anaerobic bacteria.
What is pleural fluid?
The thin membrane which covers the outer side of the lungs and inside of the chest cavity is called pleura. The accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity is called pleural fluid or pleural effusion. Pleural effusion is also called as water on the lungs or excessive buildup of fluid in the spaces between the lungs and chest cavity.
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 your chest X-ray shows that you have fluid in the pleural region. This test is also recommended to you if you experience symptoms like difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain, difficulty in taking deep breaths, difficulty in breathing while lying down, persistent hiccups, fever, dry cough, difficulty in physical activity, 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 Pleural Fluid.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Culture And Sensitivity Anaerobic Pleural Fluid. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Culture And Sensitivity Anaerobic Pleural Fluid.
No specific preparation is required for this pleural 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 in the pleural 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 |