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Rectal culture
Culture - rectal
Rectal culture is a lab test to identify bacteria and other germs in the rectum that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.
How the Test is Performed
A cotton swab is placed into the rectum. The swab is rotated gently, and removed.
A smear of the swab is placed in culture media to encourage the growth of bacteria and other organisms. The culture is watched for growth.
The organisms can be identified when growth is seen. More tests may be done to determine the best treatment.
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How to Prepare for the Test
The health care provider does a rectal exam and collects the specimen.
How the Test will Feel
There may be pressure as the swab is inserted into the rectum. The test is not painful in most cases.
Why the Test is Performed
The test is done if your provider suspects that you have an infection of the rectum, such as gonorrhea . It may also be done instead of a fecal culture if it is not possible to get a specimen of feces.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Fecal culture
A fecal culture is a lab test to find organisms in the stool (feces) that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.
The rectal culture may also be performed in a hospital or nursing home setting. This test shows if someone carries vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) in their intestine. This germ can be spread to other patients.
Normal Results
Finding bacteria and other germs that are commonly found in the body is normal.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different labs. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Abnormal results may mean you have an infection. This may be:
- Bacterial infection
- Parasitic enterocolitis
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Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
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Sometimes a culture shows that you are a carrier, but you may not have an infection.
A related condition is proctitis .
Proctitis
Proctitis is an inflammation of the rectum. It can cause discomfort, bleeding, and the discharge of mucus or pus.
Risks
There are no risks.
References
Batteiger BE, Tan M. Chlamydia trachomatis (trachoma, perinatal infections, lymphogranuloma venereum, and other genital infections). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles And Practice Of Infectious Diseases . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 182.
Beavis, KG, Charnot-Katsikas, A. Specimen collection and handling for diagnosis of infectious diseases. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 23rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 64.
DuPont HL. Approach to the patient with suspected enteric infection. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 283.
Haines CF, Sears CL. Infectious enteritis and proctocolitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 110.
Marrazzo JM, Apicella MA. Neisseria gonorrhoeae . In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles And Practice Of Infectious Diseases . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 214.
Semrad CE. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 140.
Siddiqi HA, Salwen MJ, Shaikh MF. Laboratory diagnosis of gastrintestinal and pancreatic disorders. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 23rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 22.
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Rectal culture - illustration
A rectal culture test is performed by inserting a cotton swab in the rectum. The swab is rotated gently, and withdrawn. A smear of the swab is placed in culture media to encourage the growth of microorganisms. The test is performed to isolate and identify organisms in the rectum that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and/or disease.
Rectal culture
illustration
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Rectal culture - illustration
A rectal culture test is performed by inserting a cotton swab in the rectum. The swab is rotated gently, and withdrawn. A smear of the swab is placed in culture media to encourage the growth of microorganisms. The test is performed to isolate and identify organisms in the rectum that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and/or disease.
Rectal culture
illustration
Review Date: 5/11/2016
Reviewed By: Subodh K. Lal, MD, gastroenterologist with Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia, Austell, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
