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BACTERIAL CULTURE, AEROBIC (CLINICAL SAMPLE)

Synonym(s):
Lab Section Category
View write-up
Specimen Required

​See special instructions on SAMPLE COLLECTION and COLLECTION BY SPECIMEN TYPE

Method

​Culture

Test Results

​Organisms reported;

No bacterial growth;

No growth of pathogens;

Normal oropharyngeal flora;

No significant bacterial growth;

Mixed flora;

Mixed enteric flora;

≤50 cfu/mL sonication fluid;

>50 cfu/mL sonication fluid

Turnaround Time

​Negative: 1 – 14 days

Positive: 2 – 14 days depending on the number and type of organisms and source of sample.

 Negative Positive 
Urine 1 – 2 days2 – 4 days 
Blood 2 days2 – 7 days
Sputum1 – 3 days2 – 5 days 
Wounds 2 – 3 days2 – 7 days 
​*Prosthesis ​1 - 14 days​2 - 14 days
CSF and sterile fluids3 – 4 days2 – 7 days
Day(s) Test Set up

​Daily / *Mon - Fri (Specimen accepted daily)

Last Updated - 18 Jul 2025