Understanding Your Laboratory Test: A Patient Guide to What the Test Is, How the Sample Is Collected, and What Happens in the Lab
This test identifies aerobic bacteria from a deep wound sample to help doctors choose the right antibiotic treatment.
{"Aerobic culture identifies bacteria that need oxygen to grow","Helps doctors select the appropriate antibiotic for wound infection","Results usually take 2-5 days to complete","Sample is collected from deep tissue or fluid of the wound"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 17913-5
- Short code
- BCIDWND5
- Synonyms
- Bacteria Deep Wnd Aerobe Cult org #5
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile, leak-proof transport container (e.g., sterile screw-capped tube or cup); aerobic culture transport swab system (e.g., Amies or Stuart's medium) for swab specimens; anaerobic transport system acceptable for tissue
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- aerobic-culture
- CPT
- 87077
- SNOMED
- 441829007
- Specimen volume
- Minimum 1-2 mL of purulent material, exudate, or tissue; a pea-sized (approximately 0.5-1 g) piece of tissue is preferred over swabs when feasible; swabs must contain visible material
- Stability
- Tissue/biopsy specimens: Room temperature up to 2 hours or refrigerated (2-8°C) up to 24 hours. Swab specimens in transport medium: Room temperature up to 2 hours or refrigerated (2-8°C) up to 48 hours. Do not freeze. Transport to laboratory as soon as possible for optimal organism recovery.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 48–120 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test and why might my healthcare provider recommend it for me?
A wound deep aerobic culture is a laboratory test that collects a sample from the deep part of a wound (such as a surgical wound, traumatic injury, or infected sore) to identify aerobic bacteria. Aerobic bacteria are microorganisms that require oxygen to grow and multiply. This test helps healthcare providers determine if a wound is infected and which specific bacteria are causing the infection.
How is the sample for this test collected, and what can I expect during the collection process?
A healthcare professional will collect tissue or fluid from the deep part of your wound using a sterile swab or instrument. Before collection, the wound surface is cleaned to remove surface contaminants. The sample is then placed in a special container and sent to the laboratory for analysis. In some cases, a small tissue biopsy may be taken.
What happens in the laboratory once my sample is received, and how is it analyzed?
In the lab, the sample is placed in culture media that supports the growth of aerobic bacteria. The media is incubated at body temperature for several days. If bacteria grow, they are identified using various techniques, and antibiotic sensitivity testing is performed to determine which antibiotics can effectively treat the infection.
Reference range
No growth of clinically significant aerobic bacteria isolated from deep wound specimen after appropriate incubation period. Results reported as organism identification with colony description and quantitation where applicable.N/A
No fasting required. Deep wound specimens should be collected prior to initiation of antibiotic therapy when possible. Discontinue antiseptic or antimicrobial wound treatments for 24-48 hours before specimen collection if clinically feasible. Avoid contamination with skin flora.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test is crucial for diagnosing wound infections caused by aerobic bacteria. Identifying the specific bacteria allows doctors to prescribe targeted antibiotics rather than using broad-spectrum antibiotics, which helps combat antibiotic resistance. Common aerobic bacteria found in wound infections include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The test results also help determine the severity of the infection and guide treatment duration.
Deep wound cultures are particularly important for wounds that are not healing properly, show signs of infection (such as increased pain, redness, swelling, or pus), or do not respond to initial antibiotic treatment.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get results?
Does this test hurt?
Do I need to prepare for this test?
What happens if no bacteria are found?
What do the results mean?
Sources
- 1
- 2
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