A skin culture is a laboratory test to look for and identify disease-causing substances in a sample of skin. It is called a mucosal culture if the sample involves the mucous membranes.
The sample is sent to a laboratory and placed in special dish (called a culture medium). The laboratory team checks the dish at different time periods to see if a bacteria, virus, or fungus has grown. Further tests can be done to identify the specific organism and determine the best treatment.
How to prepare for the test:
There is no preparation needed for a culture. For information on how to prepare for a skin or mucosal sample, see:
Review Date: 12/3/2007
Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Tests
