Understanding Your Laboratory Test: A Complete Patient Guide to Testing, Sample Collection, and Preparation
This test identifies aerobic bacteria present in a sample collected from your body to help diagnose infections.
{"Aerobic culture helps find bacteria that need oxygen to grow","Sample is collected from the suspected infection site","Results help doctors choose the right antibiotic treatment","Results typically take 2-5 days","Follow all collection instructions carefully for accurate results"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 20693-8
- Short code
- BACTLIT
- Synonyms
- Bacteria Litter Aerobe Cult
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile, leak-proof container or transport swab with appropriate transport medium (e.g., Amies or Stuart's medium)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- aerobic-culture
- CPT
- 87070
- SNOMED
- 39579001
- Specimen volume
- Minimum 1-2 grams of litter material or a representative swab sample
- Stability
- Refrigerated (2-8°C): up to 24-48 hours; room temperature: up to 2 hours if on transport medium. Do not freeze.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 24–168 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test and why has my doctor ordered it for me?
An aerobic bacterial culture is a laboratory test that detects and identifies aerobic bacteria in a sample from your body. Aerobic bacteria are microorganisms that require oxygen to grow and survive. This test helps healthcare providers determine if you have a bacterial infection and identify the specific type of bacteria causing it.
How is the sample collected for this test, and what can I expect during the collection process?
The sample type depends on where the infection is suspected. Common samples include blood, urine, sputum, wound tissue, or fluid from the affected area. Your healthcare provider will collect the appropriate sample using sterile techniques to prevent contamination. For some sample types, you may need to collect it at home using specific instructions provided by your doctor.
What happens in the laboratory after my sample is collected and sent for testing?
In the lab, the sample is placed in special culture dishes and incubators that provide the optimal environment for aerobic bacteria to grow. Technicians monitor the culture over several days, looking for bacterial colonies to appear. If bacteria grow, they are further tested to identify the specific type and determine which antibiotics can effectively treat the infection.
How should I prepare for this test, including any instructions about food, drink, or medications?
Preparation depends on the sample type. For urine samples, you may need to collect a clean-catch midstream sample. For blood samples, no special fasting is typically needed. Always follow the specific instructions provided by your healthcare facility. Inform your doctor about any antibiotics you are currently taking, as they may affect test results.
Reference range
No growth of pathogenic bacteria. Expected results depend on litter source and clinical context; normal flora or environmental contaminants may be reported as such.N/A
No patient fasting required. Specimen should be collected aseptically from the litter sample using sterile technique. Avoid cross-contamination with environmental sources.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Positive results indicate the presence of aerobic bacteria in the sample, helping confirm a bacterial infection diagnosis. The specific bacteria identified guide healthcare providers in selecting the most appropriate antibiotic treatment. This is called susceptibility or sensitivity testing.
Negative results suggest no aerobic bacteria were found in the sample. However, this does not always rule out infection—there may be no infection, the infection could be caused by anaerobic bacteria (which need different conditions to grow), viruses, or fungi, or the bacteria may be present but not detectable by this test method.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get results?
Does this test hurt?
What if I'm already taking antibiotics?
What do positive 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