Anaerobic and Aerobic Culture

Test Details

Synonyms

• Anaerobic Culture, Abscess
• Anaerobic Culture, Body Fluid
• Anaerobic Culture, Wound
• Culture, Anaerobic
• Wound Anaerobic Culture

Test Includes

Isolation and identification (additional CPT coding of 87076, 87077, 87143, or other code depending on methods required) of potential anaerobic and aerobic pathogens; susceptibility testing if culture results warrant at an additional charge. CPT coding for microbiology and virology procedures often cannot be determined before the culture is performed.

Use

Isolate and identify anaerobic pathogenic organisms; determine susceptibility of isolates (extra charge). When actinomycetes are suspected, a specific request must be made. Anaerobic cultures are indicated particularly when suspected infections are related to gastrointestinal tract, pelvic organs, associated with malignancy, related to use of aminoglycosides, or occur in a setting in which the diagnosis of gas gangrene or actinomycosis is considered. Anaerobic culture is especially indicated when an exudate has a foul odor or if the exudate has a grayish discoloration and is hemorrhagic. Frequently, more than one organism is recovered from an anaerobic infection.