Fecal Culture
Alternate Names : Culture - Stool, Stool Culture
Definition
This is a laboratory test to isolate and identify organisms in the feces that may cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease. Normally, many organisms are present in the feces, but some can act as pathogens (disease-causing organisms). Some bacteria cause symptoms because of the toxins they produce, while other cause symptoms by direct bacterial effects.
Pictures & Images
 See all Pictures & Images
Why is the Test Performed?
The test is performed when gastrointestinal distress is present and an infection is suspected as a cause of the distress. It may be performed if severe, persistent, or recurrent diarrhea of unknown cause is present. It may also be performed when long-term antibiotic therapy has been used, to see if bacteria that don't usually live in the intestine such as C. difficile are now in the intestine.
|
