Type of test Microscopic examination

 Normal findings

 Negative

Test explanation and related physiology

 Because the throat and nose are normally colonized by many organisms, cultures of these areas serve only to isolate and identify a few particular pathogens (e.g., streptococci, meningococci, gonococci, Bordetella pertussis, Corynebacterium diphtheriae).

Streptococci are most often sought on a throat culture because beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis may be followed by rheumatic heart disease or glomerulonephritis. This type of streptococcal infection most frequently affects children between the ages of 3 and 15 years. Throat cultures in adults are indicated only when the patient has a severe or recurrent sore throat often associated with fever and palpable lymphadenopathy.

Rapid immunologic tests (strep screens) with antiserum against group A streptococcus antigen are now available and are very accurate. With these kits, the streptococcus organism can be identified directly from the swab specimen without culture. These tests can be performed in about 15 minutes. If the test result is negative, no streptococcus infection exists.

Nasal and nasopharyngeal cultures are often done to screen for infections and carrier states caused by various other organ isms, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and viruses causing rhinitis. Health-care workers in the operating room and newborn nursery may have these cultures to screen potential sources of spread when an outbreak occurs in a hospital setting. These cultures are also used to detect infection in elderly and debilitated patients.

All cultures should be performed before antibiotic therapy is initiated. Otherwise, the antibiotic may interrupt the growth of the organism in the laboratory. Most organisms take approximately 24 hours to grow in the laboratory, and a preliminary report can be given at that time. Occasionally, 48 to 72 hours is required for growth and identification of the organism. Cultures may be repeated on completion of appropriate antibiotic therapy to identify resolution of the infection.

Interfering factors

* Drugs that may affect test results include antibiotics and anti septic mouthwashes.

 Procedure and patient care

Before

* Explain the procedure to the patient.

 During

 • Obtain a throat culture by depressing the tongue with a wooden tongue blade and touching the posterior wall of the throat and areas of inflammation, exudation, or ulceration with a sterile cotton swab. Two swabs are preferred. Growth of streptococcus from both swabs is more accurate, and the second swab can also be used in the strep screen. Avoid touching any other part of the mouth. Place the swabs in a sterile container.

• Obtain a nasal culture by gently raising the tip of the nose and inserting a flexible swab into the nares. Rotate the swab against the side of the nares. Remove the swab and place it in an appropriate culture tube.

• Obtain a nasopharyngeal culture by gently raising the tip of the nose and inserting a flexible swab along the bottom of the nares. Guide this swab until it reaches the posterior phar ynx. Rotate the swab to obtain secretions and then remove it. Place the swab in an appropriate culture tube.

• Wear gloves and handle the specimen as if it were capable of transmitting disease. • Indicate on the laboratory slip any medications that the patient may be taking that could affect test results.

After

• Label all specimens and send them immediately to the micro biology laboratory.

• Notify the physician of any positive results so that appropriate antibiotic therapy can be initiated.

Abnormal findings

- Bacterial pathogens (e.g., streptococci)

- Respiratory syncytial virus

- H. influenzae bacteria

اخر الاخبار

اخبار العتبة العباسية المقدسة

اللجنة المنظّمة: مهرجان رحمةً للعالمين يسعى لإحياء مبدأ التعايش السلمي والحوار الحضاري

ضمن فعاليات مهرجان رحمة للعالمين.. افتتاح معرض للكتاب في منطقة بين الحرمين الشريفين

مهرجان رحمة للعالمين يشهد إطلاق طابع بريدي تذكاري بمرور 1500 عام على المولد النبوي

عرض فيلم وثائقي يتناول جزءًا من سيرة النبيّ (صلّى الله عليه وآله) ضمن فعّاليات مهرجان رحمةً للعالمين

المزيد

الآخبار الصحية

تحذير من الإفراط في شربها.. متى تصبح الماتشا خطيرة؟

من بناء العضلات إلى "تسميم الجسم".. الوجه الآخر للبروتين ؟

دراسة جديدة: مخ الانسان يغتسل أثناء النوم

هل من الآمن شرب القهوة على معدة فارغة؟

المزيد

الآخبار التكنلوجية

مزايا مرآة الرؤية الخلفية ذاتية التعتيم في السيارات

دراسة.. كوكب غريب أمد الأرض بمقومات الحياة !

يهدد عرش هوليود.. أول فيلم رسوم متحركة بالذكاء الاصطناعي

أكبر تغيير منذ سنوات.. هل تكشف أبل النقاب عن "iPhone Air"؟

المزيد

مواضيع ذات صلة

thromboelastography (Thromboelastometry)

testosterone (Dihydrotestosterone [DHT])

Biomarkers of Stroke

Soluble IL-33 Receptor (sST2)

syphilis detection test (Serologic test for syphilis [STS], Venereal Disease Research Laboratory [VDRL], Rapid plasma reagin [RPR], Fluorescent treponemal antibody test [FTA])

sweat test (Sweat electrolyte test, Sweat chloride test, Sweat conductivity test, Iontophoretic sweat test)

substance abuse testing (Urine drug testing, Drug testing, Drug screening, Toxicology screening)

Streptococcus serologic testing (Antistreptolysin O titer [ASO], Antideoxyribonuclease-B titer, [Anti-DNase-B, ADNase-B, ADB], Streptococcus group B antigen detection, Streptozyme)

Galectin-3

Biomarkers of Collagen Synthesis and Degradation

Cardiac Fibrosis

stool for leukocytes (White blood cell stool test, Fecal leukocyte stain, Stool for white cells)