Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterial culture from stool with identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing

Why is this test done?

Your healthcare provider may order this test if you have symptoms like diarrhea (especially with blood or mucus), abdominal pain, fever, or if you’ve recently traveled to areas with higher risk of bacterial infections. It’s also used to confirm a suspected bacterial infection in the digestive tract or to monitor chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.

What does the test involve?

A small sample of your stool is collected in a clean container. The lab then grows the bacteria in a controlled environment to identify *E. coli* and other potential pathogens. If *E. coli* is found, additional tests determine how it responds to common antibiotics.

What do the results mean?

Positive results indicate the presence of *E. coli* bacteria, which may require further evaluation to determine the cause of symptoms. The antimicrobial susceptibility results help guide treatment choices to target the specific bacteria present.

What are the possible outcomes?

Outcomes may include: (1) *E. coli* detected with no antibiotic resistance (may resolve with supportive care), (2) *E. coli* detected with antibiotic resistance (may require alternative treatment), or (3) no significant bacteria found (may indicate a viral or other cause of symptoms).