A body fluid culture test is performed to detect and identify the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the body. A wide variety of pathological processes and diseases lead to abnormal fluid accumulation within the body. A body fluid culture is done to identify the underlying cause of this accumulation. It is done by localizing and removing the fluid burden and sending fluid samples to laboratories for detailed analysis.  

What is a Culture, Body Fluid Test? 

A body fluid culture test is performed to detect and identify the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the body. A wide variety of pathological processes and diseases lead to abnormal fluid accumulation within the body. A body fluid culture is done to identify the underlying cause of this accumulation. It is done by localizing and removing the fluid burden and sending fluid samples to laboratories for detailed analysis.  

Around 60% of the liquids in the human body are made of fluids. There are two main body fluid compartments, including the extracellular fluid and intracell fluid compartments. Extracellular fluid has two constituents: the interstitial fluid surrounding all cells, not in the blood, and the plasma, which is also known as the fluid component of the blood. A body fluid culture test can help identify the different types of organisms in your body and detect the presence of abnormal fluid accumulation. During this test, the technician can take samples from different body fluid cells like urine, blood, semen, sweat, etc.  

What is the Purpose of the Culture, Body Fluid Test? 

Body fluid culture test detects and identifies anaerobic pathogenic organisms present in the body's fluid. These microorganisms are present in large amounts in the sterile fluids of the body and can cause serious diseases. The doctor may order this test to check if you're suffering from kidney and adrenaline gland disorders. This test is also performed to detect how potent the unusual level of androgens is in your body.  

What Does the Culture, Body Fluid Test Diagnose? 

The body fluid culture test can diagnose kidney and adrenaline gland disorders. It is used to identify potential aerobic pathogens in your body fluid. This test can also be ordered to identify the abnormal fluid accumulation within your body. Due to abnormal fluid accumulation, you may have abdominal problems. Excess fluid in the abdomen may even lead to swelling, making your abdomen feel uncomfortable and tight. If the fluid presses on the lungs, it can even lead to breath shortness. The doctor may order a body fluid culture test to know the fluid level in your body and offer immediate treatment if the test results show abnormal fluid accumulation.  

Why Do You Need a Culture, Body Fluid Test? 

You need a body fluid test to know about the distribution of body fluids. This test will help identify the types of bacteria and microorganisms growing in your body. You may also need this test in the following situations. 
 

• To know about the infections in your body. 
• To know about kidney and adrenaline gland disorders. 
• To know about sex hormonal imbalances. 
   

The doctor may order this test if you show the signs and symptoms of hypopituitarism which is a rare disorder in which your pituitary gland doesn't produce enough hormones. If your body has an unusual androgens level, this test can help determine how potent they can be. 

Preparation and Procedure Required for Culture, Body Fluid Test 

You don't need to do any special preparations for the body fluid culture test. No diet restriction is recommended before this test. You should inform your doctor if you're taking any medications, as they may interfere with the accuracy of the test results. If the doctor or technician gives you any specific instructions before the test, you must follow them. 

During this test, 5-10 ml of your body fluid will be aspirated for the purpose of culture. The most commonly used fluids for this test are bile, pericardial, peritoneal, and synovial. The technician will clean the area from where the fluid will be aspirated with a cotton pad dipped in alcohol. After that, a wide-bore needle will be pierced through your skin, and the fluid will be aspirated. The extracted body fluid will be inoculated into the cultured media. It will then be sent to the laboratory, where it will be incubated and observed for the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. TCBS agar medium can selectively isolate vibrio cholera, and Wilson and Blair's agar is used to recover Salmonella typhi. Mannitol salt agar is used to recover Staph aureus, and MacConkey agar is used to grow Enterobacteriaceae.  

The inoculated culture media with the aspirated fluid are highly contagious. Therefore, they should be handled with extreme care as the spread of bacteria is quite easy through these media. Synovial fluid, pleural fluid, abdominal fluid, and other body fluids must be collected in a capped syringe or sterile screw-capped tube. It is also important to label the specimen with the patient's full name, date of collection, and date of birth. Specimens should also be transported within 24 hours at room temperature to maintain the accuracy of the results.  

Understanding Culture, Body Fluid Test Results 

You must discuss the test results with your doctor to know about abnormal fluid accumulation in your body.   

Normal values 

Type                    Age Group                  Gender                 Value 

Body fluid          All age groups             Unisex                  >100kU/l