Staphylococcus Species Culture
A Staphylococcus culture is a laboratory test that grows and identifies Staphylococcus bacteria from a patient sample, often to detect infection or, in screening contexts, to look for Staphylococcus aureus carriage.
["This culture helps your care team find out whether Staphylococcus bacteria are present in a sample and what kind of Staphylococcus they are."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 20968-4
- Short code
- Staphylococcus Cheese Cult
- Synonyms
- Staphylococcus Cheese Cult
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- organism-specific-culture
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What This Test Is
A Staphylococcus culture uses a sample, commonly a swab from the nose or another body site such as a wound, to grow bacteria in the laboratory. Technologists then identify whether Staphylococcus organisms are present and, when relevant, distinguish types such as Staphylococcus aureus from other staphylococci.
Why It May Be Ordered
Your provider may order this test to investigate a suspected skin, wound, or other bacterial infection, or to screen for Staphylococcus carriage before certain procedures or in specific care settings. The result is interpreted together with your symptoms, exam, and other tests.
How the Sample Is Collected
The specimen depends on the purpose of the test. A nasal swab is commonly used for carriage screening, while wound or other site swabs may be used when infection is suspected. Collection is usually quick and may cause brief discomfort.
What the Results Mean
A positive culture means Staphylococcus bacteria grew from the sample; a negative culture means none were detected under the test conditions. A positive result does not always mean infection, since Staphylococcus can be part of normal skin and nasal flora. Your provider will interpret the result in context and may order additional testing, such as susceptibility testing, to guide treatment.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Staphylococcus culture results are clinically useful for detecting and characterizing staphylococcal presence, distinguishing Staphylococcus aureus from other types when indicated, and supporting decisions about infection management or carriage screening. Results should always be correlated with the patient's clinical picture, and antibiotic susceptibility testing may be needed to choose appropriate therapy.
Short name
Staph Culture
Frequently asked questions
Does a positive Staphylococcus culture always mean I have an infection?
What is the difference between Staphylococcus aureus and other staphylococci?
Will I need antibiotic susceptibility testing too?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 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