Bacteriadeepwndcult
A laboratory test that identifies specific bacteria causing a deep wound infection to help guide appropriate antibiotic treatment.
{"This test identifies the exact type of bacteria causing your wound infection","Results help doctors choose the most effective antibiotic for treatment","Sample is collected from the deep part of the wound using a swab, tissue, or fluid","Results typically take 2-5 days as bacteria need time to grow and be identified"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 43407-6
- Short code
- WCULTDP
- Synonyms
- Bacteria Deep Wnd Cult
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile screw-capped container or anaerobic transport system (e.g., BBL Port-A-Cul vial, Eswab transport system, or sterile saline-moistened gauze in a sterile cup). For swab specimens, use Amies or Stuart transport medium. Tissue specimens should be placed in a sterile container with a small amount of sterile non-bacteriostatic saline to prevent drying.
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- culture
- CPT
- 87070 (Culture, bacterial; any source, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates); additional CPT codes 87077 for aerobic identification, 87076 for anaerobic identification, and 87184-87188 for susceptibility testing may apply
- SNOMED
- 441902008 (Bacterial culture of wound - procedure); 39579001 (Bacterial culture - procedure); 270771009 (Identification of organism - procedure)
- Specimen volume
- Minimum 1 mL of purulent exudate, aspirated fluid, or tissue sample. Tissue biopsy specimens should be at least 1-2 cm³ when possible. Swab specimens should have visible material on the swab tip.
- Stability
- Transport to laboratory within 2 hours at room temperature for optimal organism recovery. For anaerobic culture, specimens should be processed within 1 hour of collection. If immediate transport is not possible, specimens in appropriate transport medium are stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Refrigeration (2-8°C) is acceptable for aerobic cultures if transport is delayed beyond 2 hours but may reduce recovery of fastidious organisms. Do not freeze specimens.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 48–168 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
A wound culture is a laboratory test that identifies bacteria causing an infection in a deep wound. Your healthcare provider will collect a sample from the deepest part of your wound using a sterile swab, tissue sample, or fluid aspirate. The sample is then sent to a laboratory where technicians place it in a special environment that allows bacteria to grow. Once bacteria multiply, they can be identified through various testing methods.
How is the sample collected?
Your healthcare provider will clean the wound area and use a sterile swab, needle, or small tissue instrument to collect sample material from the deepest part of the wound where infection is present. This ensures the sample contains the actual bacteria causing the infection rather than surface contaminants. The collection process may cause brief discomfort but is generally quick.
What happens in the laboratory?
In the laboratory, the sample is placed onto growth media and incubated at body temperature. Bacteria present in the sample will multiply over several days. Lab technicians then examine the grown bacteria under a microscope and perform additional tests to identify the exact species. Once identified, the bacteria may also undergo antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) to determine which antibiotics can effectively treat the infection.
How to prepare for this test?
No special preparation such as fasting is needed for this test. Simply follow your healthcare provider's instructions regarding wound care before the appointment. Inform your doctor about any antibiotics you are currently taking, as this may affect test results. The sample collection itself takes only a few minutes.
Reference range
No growth of pathogenic bacteria isolated. Normal skin flora (e.g., coagulase-negative staphylococci, Corynebacterium species, Propionibacterium species) may be reported as 'normal flora' or 'commensal organisms.' Any pathogenic organism isolated is reported with identification and colony description.N/A
Wound preparation: Cleanse the wound surface with sterile normal saline to remove surface debris and exudate prior to sample collection. For deep wound specimens, debridement of superficial necrotic tissue is recommended before obtaining the specimen. Avoid touching the wound edges or surrounding intact skin with the collection swab. Discontinue topical antimicrobial agents, if possible, for at least 24-48 hours prior to specimen collection unless clinically contraindicated. Systemic antibiotics should be noted but do not preclude collection.
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?
Does a positive result always mean I have an infection?
Will the test be painful?
What do the results mean?
Do I need to do anything after the test?
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