Bacteriabldaerobecultorg6
A blood culture test checks for bacteria or fungi in your blood by growing and identifying them in a laboratory setting.
{"This test detects harmful bacteria or fungi in your bloodstream","It helps doctors diagnose serious infections like sepsis","Multiple blood samples are usually taken from different veins","Results typically take 2-5 days to complete","A positive result means you have an infection that needs treatment"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 17933-3
- Short code
- BCX6
- Synonyms
- Bacteria Bld Aerobe Cult org #6
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- Aerobic blood culture bottle (e.g., BacT/ALERT SA, BACTEC Plus Aerobic/F). Pediatric aerobic bottle for smaller volumes. Standard blood culture collection set.
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- aerobic-culture
- CPT
- 87040
- SNOMED
- 104281000
- Specimen volume
- Adult: 8-10 mL per bottle (aerobic and anaerobic set, total 16-20 mL per set). Pediatric: 1-3 mL per pediatric bottle. Optimal blood-to-broth ratio of 1:5 to 1:10.
- Stability
- Blood culture bottles should be incubated as soon as possible after collection. If immediate incubation is not possible, hold at room temperature (20-25°C) for no more than 2 hours prior to placement in automated incubator. Do not refrigerate blood culture bottles.
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 24–120 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
A blood culture test is a laboratory test that looks for bacteria or fungi (yeast) in your blood. When harmful microorganisms enter your bloodstream, they can spread throughout your body and cause serious infections. This test helps doctors detect these infections early so they can start the right treatment quickly.
Why do I need this test?
Your doctor may order a blood culture test if you have symptoms of a serious infection, such as fever, chills, rapid breathing, or confusion. It is commonly used to diagnose sepsis (a life-threatening response to infection), endocarditis (infection of the heart valves), and other bloodstream infections. The test helps identify the specific microorganism causing the infection, allowing your doctor to prescribe the most effective antibiotic.
How is the test performed?
A healthcare professional will clean your skin with an antiseptic to prevent contamination. They will then draw blood from a vein, usually in your arm. To increase accuracy, multiple blood samples are often taken from different locations. The blood samples are placed in special bottles containing nutrients that help bacteria or fungi grow. These bottles are sent to a laboratory where they are monitored for several days to see if microorganisms grow.
What do the results mean?
A negative result means no bacteria or fungi were found in your blood samples, which suggests you likely do not have a bloodstream infection. However, false negatives can occur, so your doctor will consider your symptoms and other test results. A positive result means bacteria or fungi were found in your blood, confirming a bloodstream infection. The laboratory will also identify the specific type of microorganism and perform sensitivity testing to determine which antibiotics will be most effective against it.
Are there any risks?
The risks of a blood culture test are minimal. You may experience slight pain or bruising at the needle site, and in rare cases, infection or excessive bleeding may occur. The benefits of diagnosing a serious infection far outweigh these small risks.
Reference range
No growth of aerobic bacteria identified. Normal result: Negative for aerobic bacterial growth at 5 days (or per laboratory protocol).N/A
No special patient preparation required. Skin antisepsis at venipuncture site is critical to prevent contamination. For blood culture collection, ensure proper sterile technique. If possible, collect before administration of antibiotics. Disinfect collection site with chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine and allow to dry completely.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get results?
Do I need to fast before this test?
Will the test hurt?
What happens if my blood culture is positive?
Can I have a false positive result?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 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