Understanding Your Laboratory Test: What It Is, How It Is Done, and Why Your Doctor May Recommend It
This test identifies anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that grow without oxygen) in a sample through culture testing.
{"The test detects anaerobic bacteria that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen","It helps diagnose infections caused by anaerobic bacteria","Sample is collected and sent to a laboratory for culture","Results help doctors choose the right antibiotic treatment","Results typically take 2-7 days"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 635-3
- Short code
- ANACULT
- Synonyms
- Bacteria Spec Anaerobe Cult
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Anaerobic transport system (e.g., Anaerobic Transport Medium, Port-A-Cul vial, ESwab in anaerobic transport), sterile screw-cap container, or blood culture bottles for blood specimens
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- anaerobic-culture
- CPT
- 87075 (Culture, bacterial; any source, anaerobic with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates); additional CPT codes may apply for definitive identification (87076, 87077) and susceptibility testing (87181, 87186)
- SNOMED
- 104181008 (Anaerobic culture) / 395112001 (Bacterial identification by anaerobic culture)
- Specimen volume
- Variable by specimen type: Tissue (1-2 cm³), Fluid (1-5 mL), Aspirates (1-2 mL), Swabs (1 swab in transport medium), Blood (8-10 mL per blood culture bottle for adults; 1-3 mL for pediatric bottles)
- Stability
- Maintain at room temperature (20-25°C) in anaerobic transport medium. Deliver to laboratory within 2 hours of collection for optimal recovery. If delayed, refrigerate at 2-8°C (except blood culture bottles which remain at room temperature). Maximum transport time: 72 hours in appropriate anaerobic transport system
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 48–336 hours
- Order
- routine
This test is a diagnostic procedure that helps your doctor evaluate how your body is working and look for signs of illness, infection, or other health conditions that may need further evaluation or treatment.
The anaerobic bacterial culture test is a laboratory test that identifies specific bacteria that grow in environments without oxygen (anaerobes). Your healthcare provider collects a sample (such as blood, tissue, or fluid) and sends it to a laboratory where specialists create a special environment without oxygen to allow these bacteria to grow and be identified.
The test is usually performed by a trained health care professional. Depending on the type of test, a small sample of blood, urine, or tissue may be collected, or you may receive a simple scan or examination in the office.
A healthcare professional will collect a sample from the affected area of your body. This may include blood, wound tissue, pus, or other body fluids. The sample is then placed in special containers that do not contain oxygen and sent to a laboratory. In the lab, the sample is cultured under conditions without oxygen to allow anaerobic bacteria to grow.
Your doctor may recommend this test to help diagnose a condition, monitor an ongoing health problem, check how well a treatment is working, or screen for disease early, before symptoms appear, so that care can begin promptly.
Your doctor may order this test if you have symptoms of an infection that may be caused by anaerobic bacteria. These infections can include dental infections, abdominal infections, wound infections, pelvic infections, or bloodstream infections. Anaerobic bacteria often cause foul-smelling wounds or abscesses.
Reference range
No anaerobic bacteria isolated (Negative). Results reported as organism identified with colony description, Gram stain morphology, and quantity when positiveN/A
Specimen should be collected prior to initiation of antibiotic therapy whenever possible. Discontinue antiseptic use at collection site for 24-48 hours before collection if clinically feasible. Avoid contamination with normal flora from skin, mucosal surfaces, or environmental sources
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test is important for diagnosing infections caused by anaerobic bacteria, which are common but often difficult to detect. Proper identification of the specific bacteria helps doctors select the most appropriate antibiotic treatment. Many anaerobic infections require specific antibiotics that are effective against bacteria that do not need oxygen to survive.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get results?
Does the test hurt?
Do I need to prepare for the test?
What happens if anaerobic bacteria are found?
Sources
- 1
- 2
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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