Understanding Your Laboratory Test: What It Is and Why It May Be Recommended
This test identifies specific anaerobic bacteria found in your sample through culture methods.
{"Anaerobic bacteria grow without oxygen","This test identifies which specific bacteria are present","Results help guide appropriate antibiotic treatment","Sample is collected and sent to a microbiology lab","Results typically take 2-7 days"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 44853-0
- Short code
- ANAC3
- Synonyms
- Bacteria Spec Anaerobe Cult org #3
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Anaerobic transport system (e.g., Anaerobic Transport Medium, Port-A-Cul vial, BD ESwab in Amies medium, or sterile screw-cap container with anaerobic gas pack). Tissue specimens should be submitted in sterile containers with sterile saline to maintain moisture.
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- anaerobic-culture
- CPT
- 87075
- SNOMED
- 442126008
- Specimen volume
- Minimum 1 mL of fluid or pus; tissue specimen at least 1 cm³; swab specimens should be submitted in anaerobic transport medium. Blood culture bottles: 8-10 mL per bottle for adults.
- Stability
- Specimens for anaerobic culture must be transported to the laboratory within 1-2 hours of collection at room temperature. Anaerobic transport vials maintain organism viability for up to 24-48 hours at room temperature. Do not refrigerate specimens for anaerobic culture as cold exposure is lethal to many anaerobes.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 48–240 hours
- Order
- routine
A laboratory test is a medical procedure in which a small sample, such as blood, urine, or tissue, is collected and analyzed to help your doctor evaluate how your body is working, detect possible health problems, and guide decisions about your care.
The Anaerobic Bacteria Culture and Identification test is a laboratory procedure that detects and identifies anaerobic bacteria in a specimen. Anaerobic bacteria are microorganisms that can grow and multiply without oxygen. This test specifically looks for the third type of bacteria (Bacteria #3) identified in your sample through anaerobic culture methods.
The test is usually performed by a trained health care professional who collects a small sample, most often by drawing blood from a vein in your arm with a thin needle. The procedure typically takes only a few minutes, and the sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis, with results reported to your doctor.
Your healthcare provider collects a sample (which may include tissue, fluid, or another specimen type depending on your condition). The sample is then placed in a special environment without oxygen to allow anaerobic bacteria to grow. Once the bacteria multiply, laboratory technicians identify the specific type of bacteria present.
Your doctor may order this test to help diagnose a medical condition, monitor an ongoing illness or treatment, check how well organs such as the liver, kidneys, or thyroid are functioning, or as part of a routine checkup to screen for common health problems before symptoms appear.
Your doctor may order this test if you have an infection that may be caused by anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic infections can occur in various parts of the body, including wounds, abscesses, dental infections, abdominal infections, and bloodstream infections. This test helps determine the exact cause of your infection.
Reference range
No anaerobic bacteria isolated. Result reported as organism identification (e.g., Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridium perfringens, Peptostreptococcus spp., Fusobacterium spp., Prevotella spp.) with colony morphology and quantitation if applicable.N/A
Specimen should be collected prior to initiation of antimicrobial therapy whenever possible. Discontinue antiseptic or antibacterial mouthwashes, topical antibiotics, or wound cleansers for at least 24 hours before collection. Disinfect skin surface with 70% alcohol and allow to dry before aspirating tissue or fluid specimens. Avoid contamination with normal flora. Transport specimen to laboratory immediately under anaerobic conditions.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Identifying the specific anaerobic bacteria causing an infection is crucial for selecting the most effective treatment. Different anaerobic bacteria respond to different antibiotics, so accurate identification helps your doctor prescribe the right medication. This test also helps distinguish between colonization (where bacteria are present but not causing disease) and actual infection requiring treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Is the test painful?
How long does it take to get results?
Do I need to prepare for the test?
What happens if anaerobic bacteria are found?
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