Blood cultures are used to detect the presence of bacteria or fungi in the blood, to identify the type present, and to guide treatment. Testing is used to identify a blood infection (septicemia) that can lead to sepsis, a serious and life-threatening complication. Individuals with a suspected blood infection are often treated in intensive care units, so testing is often done in a hospital setting.Although blood samples may be used to detect viruses, this article focuses on the use of blood cultures to detect and identify bacteria and fungi.Other related tests that may be performed include:Gram stain—a relatively quick test used to detect and identify the general type of bacteriaSusceptibility testing—determines the drug (antimicrobial) that may be most effective in treating the infectionOften, a complete blood count (CBC) is ordered along with or prior to the blood culture to determine whether the person has an increased number of white blood cells, indicating a potential infection. Sometimes other testing is also performed, such as a chemistry panel to evaluate the health status of a person's organs, or a urine, sputum, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture to help identify the source of the original infection. This is especially true when a person has symptoms associated with a urinary tract infection, pneumonia, or meningitis.
Sample Type - Blood
Reporting Time - 8 Days
Prerequisites - No special preparation required
Price - ₹1040/-
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