Understanding Your Laboratory Blood Test: What Patients Need to Know
A laboratory test that identifies both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria from a genital specimen to diagnose infections.
{"This test detects and identifies harmful bacteria causing genital infections","It tests for both aerobic (oxygen-requiring) and anaerobic (non-oxygen-requiring) bacteria","Results help doctors choose the right antibiotic treatment","A sample is collected from the genital area using a swab","Results are typically available in 2-5 days"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 75269-1
- Short code
- GENBAC
- Synonyms
- Bacteria Genital Anaerobe+Aerobe Cult
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile transport swab system (Amies or Stuart's transport medium) or sterile screw-capped container for tissue/fluid specimens; anaerobic transport system for specimens requiring anaerobic culture
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- anaerobic-aerobic-culture
- CPT
- 87075
- SNOMED
- 395127008
- Specimen volume
- 1 swab (endocervical, urethral, vaginal, or lesion) OR 1-2 mL of fluid/aspirate OR tissue fragment in sterile container
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 24 hours for aerobic culture; Anaerobic specimens should be transported and processed within 2 hours at room temperature. Do not refrigerate anaerobic specimens.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 48–168 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test, and what does it measure in my body?
The Genital Bacterial Culture test is a laboratory procedure that collects a sample from the genital area and grows it in a special environment to identify what types of bacteria are present. Unlike simple tests that only look for common bacteria, this test specifically cultivates both aerobic bacteria (which need oxygen to grow) and anaerobic bacteria (which grow without oxygen). This comprehensive approach helps detect a wider range of potential infections that might be missed by standard tests.
Why do I need this test, and what can it tell my doctor about my health?
Your healthcare provider may order this test if you have symptoms of a genital infection such as unusual discharge, itching, pain, or irritation. This test is particularly useful when standard treatments have not worked or when an infection is suspected to involve anaerobic bacteria, which are harder to detect. By identifying the exact bacteria causing your infection, your doctor can prescribe the most effective treatment specifically tailored to your condition.
How is the sample collected, and what should I expect during the procedure?
A healthcare professional will collect the sample using a sterile swab from the affected area of your genital region. For women, this may include the vagina or cervical area. For men, this may include the urethra or discharge area. The procedure is generally quick and may cause brief discomfort. It is important to avoid sexual intercourse, douching, or using vaginal products for 24-48 hours before the test as these may affect the results.
What do the results mean, and how will my doctor use them to guide my care?
Your results will show whether bacteria were found and, if so, what specific types. A "positive" result means that bacteria were identified and cultured from your sample. The laboratory will also perform additional tests (called susceptibility or sensitivity testing) to determine which antibiotics will be most effective against the identified bacteria. A "negative" result means no pathogenic bacteria were grown from your sample, though this does not always rule out infection completely.
Reference range
No growth of pathogenic bacteria; normal genital flora may be reported. Results are organism-specific; absence of recognized pathogens is expected in healthy individuals.N/A
Patient should avoid douching, vaginal creams, spermicidal agents, or antimicrobial therapy for at least 48-72 hours prior to specimen collection. For urethral specimens, patient should ideally not have voided for at least 1 hour prior to collection. Perineal hygiene should be performed before collection.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test is clinically significant because genital infections can be caused by various bacteria, including some that are difficult to grow or require special conditions (anaerobes). Traditional tests often miss anaerobic bacteria, leading to incomplete treatment. By culturing for both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, this test provides a more complete picture of the infection, enabling targeted antibiotic therapy and reducing the risk of treatment failure or recurrent infections. This is particularly important for conditions like bacterial vaginosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and certain sexually transmitted infections.
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 bacteria are found?
Can this test detect STIs?
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