Understanding Your Medical Laboratory Test: A Complete Patient Guide to What It Measures and When It Is Used
This test identifies bacteria in peritoneal dialysis fluid to diagnose infections such as peritonitis.
{"The test cultures bacteria from dialysis fluid to identify infections","Peritonitis is a serious complication of peritoneal dialysis requiring prompt treatment","Early detection through culture helps guide appropriate antibiotic therapy","Symptoms include cloudy dialysis fluid, abdominal pain, and fever","Regular monitoring helps prevent serious complications"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 60032-0
- Short code
- PDCULT
- Synonyms
- Bacteria DiafP Cult
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile, leak-proof container; blood culture bottles (aerobic and anaerobic) are preferred for large volumes; sterile screw-cap tube or syringe for direct inoculation
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 10
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- culture
- CPT
- 87070
- SNOMED
- 395176002
- Specimen volume
- 10-50 mL of peritoneal dialysis fluid; larger volumes increase sensitivity. Ideally collect the entire dialysate bag volume when possible, with concentration by centrifugation or filtration prior to culture.
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 24 hours. Specimens should be processed as soon as possible after collection to maximize organism recovery.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 48–120 hours
- Order
- routine
This test is a laboratory examination that helps your healthcare provider evaluate your health by measuring specific substances in a sample from your body, most commonly blood or urine, in order to detect, diagnose, or monitor a medical condition.
The Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid Culture test is a laboratory test that analyzes a sample of fluid used in peritoneal dialysis to identify any bacteria present. Peritoneal dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure that uses the lining of your abdomen (peritoneum) to filter waste from your blood. This test helps doctors detect peritonitis, a serious infection of the peritoneal cavity that can occur as a complication of dialysis.
The test is performed by a trained healthcare professional who collects a small sample, usually blood drawn from a vein in your arm using a thin needle, or sometimes a urine or swab sample, in a clean clinical setting. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis, and your results are shared with your doctor.
A sample of your peritoneal dialysis fluid is collected and sent to a laboratory. The fluid is placed in special culture dishes that allow bacteria to grow. If bacteria are present, the laboratory can identify the specific type and determine which antibiotics will be most effective in treating the infection. Results typically take 2-3 days, as bacteria need time to grow and be identified.
This test is important because it provides objective information about how your body is functioning, helps identify health problems early before symptoms develop, guides your doctor in choosing the right treatment, and allows your care team to track your progress over time.
Peritonitis is one of the most common complications of peritoneal dialysis. If left untreated, it can lead to serious problems including sepsis, permanent damage to the peritoneal membrane, and the need to switch to hemodialysis. Early detection through culture testing allows your healthcare team to prescribe the right antibiotics quickly, improving outcomes and preventing complications.
Reference range
Normal: <10 ng/mLN/A
No fasting required. Peritoneal dialysis fluid should be collected from the first cloudy or symptomatic exchange using aseptic technique. Patient should be instructed on proper sterile collection method prior to dialysis fluid sampling. Dialysate bag should be mixed thoroughly before sampling.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test is crucial for diagnosing peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients. A positive culture result confirms bacterial infection and identifies the specific organism causing it, allowing for targeted antibiotic treatment. Common bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli. Negative results with symptoms may indicate other causes such as fungal infections or chemical peritonitis, requiring further investigation.
Frequently asked questions
What symptoms indicate I might have peritonitis?
How often should this test be done?
Does a negative result mean I don't have an infection?
What happens if the culture is positive?
Can I prevent peritonitis?
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