Rectal Culture
Alternate Names : Culture - Rectal
Definition This is a laboratory test to isolate and identify organisms in the rectum that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and/or disease. Normally, many organisms are present in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but some can act as pathogens (disease-causing organisms) in the bowel.
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Why is the Test Performed?
The test is performed when gastrointestinal distress is present and infection is suspected as a cause of the distress. It may be performed when a gonorrhea infection is suspected. It may be performed as an alternative to a fecal culture if unable to obtain a feces specimen.
It may also be performed in a hospital or nursing home setting to see if someone carries vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) in their intestine, which can be spread to other patients. Patients with VRE are often maintained on isolation precautions.
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