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Sensitivity analysis
Antibiotic sensitivity testing; Antimicrobial susceptibility testing
Sensitivity analysis determines the effectiveness of antibiotics against microorganisms (germs) such as bacteria that have been isolated from cultures.
Sensitivity analysis may be done along with:
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Blood culture
Blood culture
A blood culture is a laboratory test to check for bacteria or other germs in a blood sample.
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Clean catch
urine culture or
catheterized specimen
urine culture
Clean catch
A urine culture is a lab test to check for bacteria or other germs in a urine sample. It can be used to check for a urinary tract infection in adults...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleCatheterized specimen
Catheterized specimen urine culture is a laboratory test that looks for germs in a urine sample.
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Sputum culture
Sputum culture
Routine sputum culture is a laboratory test that looks for germs that cause infection. Sputum is the material that comes up from air passages when y...
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Culture from endocervix
Culture from endocervix
Endocervical culture is a laboratory test that helps identify infection in the female genital tract.
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Throat culture
Throat culture
A throat swab culture is a laboratory test that is done to identify germs that may cause infection in the throat. It is most often used to diagnose ...
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How the Test is Performed
After the culture (sample) is collected from you, it is sent to a lab. There, the samples are put in special containers to grow the microorganisms (germs) from the collected samples. Colonies of microorganisms are combined with different antibiotics to see how well each antibiotic stops each colony from growing. The test determines how effective each antibiotic is against a given organism.
How to Prepare for the Test
Follow your health care provider's instructions on how to prepare for the method used to obtain the culture.
How the Test Will Feel
The way the test feels depends on the method used to obtain the culture.
Why the Test is Performed
The test shows which antibiotic drugs should be used to treat an infection.
Many organisms are resistant to certain antibiotics. Sensitivity tests are important in helping find the right antibiotic for you. Your provider may start you on one antibiotic, but later change you to another because of the results of sensitivity analysis.
What Abnormal Results Mean
If the organism shows resistance to the antibiotics used in the test, those antibiotics will not be effective treatment.
Risks
Risks depend on the method used to obtain the specific culture.
References
Smith MB, LaSala PR, Woods GL. In vitro testing of antimicrobial agents. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 58.
Review Date: 1/31/2015
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
