Understanding Your Laboratory Test: A Patient's Guide to Testing, Sample Collection, and Interpreting Your Results
A laboratory test that identifies and grows aerobic bacteria from a tissue sample to diagnose infections.
{"This test detects aerobic bacteria in tissue samples","It helps doctors identify the specific bacteria causing an infection","Results guide appropriate antibiotic treatment","Tissue is collected via a minor biopsy procedure","Results typically take 2-5 days"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 17908-5
- Short code
- BCT6T
- Synonyms
- Bacteria Tiss Aerobe Cult org #6
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile, leak-proof container without preservative or sterile transport swab in Amies or Stuart transport medium
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- aerobic-culture
- CPT
- 87071
- SNOMED
- 398152000
- Specimen volume
- A minimum of 1 cm³ of tissue or as much tissue as clinically obtainable; submit in sterile saline to prevent desiccation
- Stability
- Tissue specimens should be transported to the laboratory within 2 hours at room temperature (15-25°C). If delayed, refrigerate at 2-8°C for up to 24 hours. Do not freeze
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 48–168 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test, and why has my healthcare provider ordered it as part of my care?
The Tissue Bacterial Culture test is a laboratory procedure that helps identify aerobic (oxygen-requiring) bacteria present in a tissue sample. When you have a suspected tissue infection, your healthcare provider may collect a small piece of tissue from the affected area and send it to the laboratory for analysis. The lab places the tissue in a special environment that allows bacteria to grow, making it possible to identify the specific type of bacteria causing the infection.
How is the sample for this test collected, and is there anything I need to do to prepare beforehand?
A healthcare provider will collect a small tissue sample from the infected area using a biopsy procedure. This is typically done using a local anesthetic to numb the area. The procedure is generally quick and may cause mild discomfort. The tissue sample is then placed in a sterile container and sent to the laboratory for culture and analysis.
What do my test results mean, and how will my healthcare provider use them to guide my next steps?
If bacteria are identified in the culture, the results will show the specific type of bacteria present. This information helps your doctor determine the most effective antibiotic treatment for your infection. If no bacteria grow after the incubation period, it may indicate that the infection is caused by viruses, fungi, or other organisms, or that the infection is responding to treatment.
Reference range
No aerobic bacteria isolated (Negative). Identification of up to 6 bacterial isolates reported by genus and species when clinically significantN/A
No fasting required. Tissue biopsy should be collected aseptically prior to initiation of antibiotic therapy when possible. Discontinue topical antimicrobials at the collection site for 24-48 hours before sampling if clinically feasible
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test is crucial for diagnosing bacterial infections in tissues such as skin, muscle, bone, or internal organs. It is particularly valuable for diagnosing deep-seated infections, surgical site infections, and infected wounds. The results help healthcare providers select targeted antibiotic therapy rather than using broad-spectrum antibiotics, which helps combat antibiotic resistance and ensures more effective treatment. This test may also be used to monitor the effectiveness of ongoing treatment.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get results?
Does the tissue biopsy hurt?
What happens if no bacteria grow in the culture?
Do I need to prepare for this test?
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