A stool culture is a test that detects and identifies bacteria that cause colon infections. Distinguish between normal and pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. It helps to find the causes of gastrointestinal symptoms (gastroenteritis). Some bacteria and fungi are called normal flora, everyone has a normal flora in their Gastrointestinal tract that plays an important role in digestion. The presence of flora controls the growth of pathogenic bacteria that cause disease. Sometimes, the balance of the normal flora can be changed with some broad-spectrum antibiotics. By preventing the normal growth of flora, it causes an excessive increase of Clostridium Difficile bacteria by living in the Gastrointestinal system (GIS). This leads to diarrhea and abdominal pain. Infected food sources also cause GIS infection.
Interpretation:
After treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, testing may not be ordered if the person’s symptoms have subsided. However, if the symptoms are severe, bloody diarrhea, mucus in the stool, the culture result may be valuable.
Sample: The stool sample should be collected in a clean, sterile container and should not be contaminated with urine or water. It should be in the lab within at least 2 hours. For infants, it is collected with a swab from the rectum.
Working day: Every day
Result Time: 2 days later 18:00