Bacteriawndaerobecult
A laboratory test that identifies and grows aerobic bacteria from a wound sample to help guide antibiotic treatment.
{"This test detects harmful bacteria causing wound infections","Results help doctors choose the right antibiotic for treatment","Sample is collected from the wound using a swab or tissue","Results typically take 2-5 days to complete","Proper wound care helps prevent serious infections"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 632-0
- Short code
- WDCR
- Synonyms
- Bacteria Wnd Aerobe Cult
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile aerobic culture swab (Amies or Stuart transport medium) or sterile leak-proof container for tissue/aspirate specimens. Tissue and aspirate specimens preferred over swabs when available.
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 48
- Ref high
- 72
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- aerobic-culture
- CPT
- 87071
- SNOMED
- 441829007
- Specimen volume
- Swab: 1 swab in transport medium; Tissue: 0.5-1 g or a piece of tissue in sterile saline; Aspirate: 1-5 mL in sterile container or anaerobic transport vial
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2 hours (ideal); Refrigerated (2-8°C): 24 hours for swabs; Tissue and aspirates: Room temperature up to 24 hours in transport medium. Do not freeze.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 48–96 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
A wound aerobic culture is a laboratory test that collects a sample from a wound (such as a cut, sore, or surgical incision) to identify aerobic bacteria that may be causing an infection. Aerobic bacteria are microorganisms that need oxygen to grow. The sample is placed in a special culture medium and incubated to allow bacteria to multiply, making them easier to identify under a microscope or through additional testing.
How is the sample collected?
A healthcare provider will clean the wound with sterile saline, then use a sterile swab or collect a small tissue sample from the wound area. The sample is immediately placed in a transport container and sent to the laboratory for analysis. Proper collection is important to avoid contamination and ensure accurate results.
What do the results mean?
If bacteria are identified, the laboratory will report which specific bacteria are present and perform antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) to determine which antibiotics will effectively treat the infection. If no bacteria grow after several days, it may indicate the wound is not infected or that anaerobic bacteria (which require different testing) may be involved.
Reference range
No growth of pathogenic aerobic bacteria after 48-72 hours incubation. Normal skin flora (e.g., coagulase-negative staphylococci, Corynebacterium species, Propionibacterium species) may be reported as 'Normal flora'.N/A
No fasting required. The wound site should be cleaned with sterile saline prior to specimen collection. Discontinue topical antibiotics or antiseptics for at least 24-48 hours before specimen collection when possible. Avoid contamination from surrounding skin.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
Does this test hurt?
How long does it take to get results?
Do I need to prepare for this test?
What happens if the culture is negative?
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