Bowel culture, quantitative, aerobic/anaerobic

Alphabetical Test listing

Bowel culture, quantitative, aerobic/anaerobic-6528

Test name:

Test number:

6528

Excellian order number:

LAB6528

Abbreviation:

BOWEL CULT Q

Alternate names:

QAA
SIBO
SBBO

Useful for:

This test is to detect bacterial overgrowth in the small bowel and includes organism quantitation only; no identification or susceptibility testing.

Specimen type:

Small bowel aspirate

Collection instructions:

Transport to Microbiology immediately, as delays in processing may falsely elevate quantitation.

Processing instructions:

Add approximately 0.5 mL to Eswab transport container.

Transport container:

ESwab standard tip collection kit (white) liquid without the swab

Transport and stability:

Refrigerated - 24 hrs

Reason for rejection:

Improper label (unlabeled or mislabeled)
Time delay between time of collection and receipt of specimen
Improper transport container
Improper transport temperature
Inappropriate specimen type
Leaking container

Performing lab:

AHL - Microbiology: M

Days set up:

Daily

TAT:

Aerobic - 2 days
Anaerobic - 4 days

Method:

Culture

Reference ranges:

Negative aerobic culture:

<1 million colonies/mL, indicates normal colony count

Negative anaerobic culture:

<0.1 million colonies/mL, indicates normal colony count

Cautions:

Quantitation may change if specimen is not processed promptly. Specimen not in anaerobic transport vial may result in falsely decreased numbers of anaerobes.

CPT codes:

87071 - Aerobic culture
87073 - Anaerobic culture
Additional codes (if appropriate):
87186 - Sensitivities
87077 - ID
This list may not be all inclusive if there is the need to send the ID or sensitivities out to a referral laboratory

Date created:

01/10/2008

Revised date:

03/18/2025

Review date:

12/18/2023