Bacteria Blood Culture with Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing by Automated Tube Method (AAPRB)
This test helps identify bacteria in your blood and determines if certain antibiotics would be effective against them.
["It helps guide treatment choices for bloodstream infections."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 105792-6
- Short code
- BLA-TEM
- Synonyms
- Bac b-ltm resist TEM Ct + NAA prb
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- Positive blood culture bottle or aliquot transferred to a sterile, leak-proof, DNA-free microcentrifuge tube or molecular transport device
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- probe-amp-tar
- CPT
- 87150 (Culture typing, identification, and confirmation); 87153 may apply for molecular detection; check with local payer for specific coverage
- SNOMED
- 122451003 |Detection of bacterial resistance gene (procedure)|; 426396005 |Bacterial beta-lactam resistance (finding)|
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL of positive blood culture broth; minimum 0.5 mL for molecular testing
- Stability
- Ambient: 2-4 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): up to 24 hours; Frozen (-20°C or lower): up to 7 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 2–8 hours
- Order
- routine
What This Test Measures
The test involves drawing blood to detect any bacterial infection. Special tubes containing antibiotics are used to grow bacteria, and the system checks how well different antibiotics work against them. This helps doctors choose the best medicine to fight your infection.
Why It’s Done
Your doctor may order this test if you have symptoms of a blood infection, such as fever, chills, or unexplained low blood pressure, or if you’re at higher risk for infections (e.g., after surgery, chemotherapy, or having a weak immune system).
How It Works
Blood is collected and placed in special containers with antibiotics. The system automatically monitors bacterial growth and measures how resistant the bacteria are to various drugs over time.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed. You may feel slight discomfort from the needle, but it’s usually brief. If you’re on blood-thinning medication, let your doctor know.
Reference range
Not Detected (Negative): Ct value not reported or above assay cutoff. Lower cycle threshold (Ct) values indicate higher bacterial load. Each laboratory should establish its own interpretive cutoffs based on assay validation.N/A
No special patient preparation required. Sample is collected as part of routine blood culture workup when bacteremia/sepsis is suspected.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Short name
Blood Culture & Drug Resistance Check
Frequently asked questions
This test is critical for diagnosing serious infections and ensuring the right antibiotic is prescribed. Resistance results help prevent overuse of antibiotics, which can lead to stronger, harder-to-treat infections in the future.
Results typically take 3–7 days, depending on the growth and testing time. Your doctor will contact you once they’re ready.
This test is sometimes done as a precaution, especially if you’re undergoing treatments that weaken your immune system or if you’ve had recent surgeries. It helps catch infections early.
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy