Culture (Any site)
Private Culture Any Site testing for £116, using the appropriate specimen and microbiology pathway for the body site.
Turnaround time
Depending on Culture
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Culture (Any site) Test
Culture (Any site) is a microbiology service used to investigate clinically significant microbial growth from an appropriate specimen collected from a specified body site.
The exact specimen required depends on the area being investigated.
Correctly identifying the body site is important because microbiology processing and culture conditions can vary according to the specimen and likely organisms.
Where clinically significant bacterial growth is identified, the laboratory may perform further organism identification or antimicrobial susceptibility testing where appropriate.
Culture does not detect every type of infection.
Some organisms require dedicated PCR, fungal, mycobacterial or other specialist testing.
Culture (Any site) costs £116 and follows a specialist microbiology pathway.
What Does the Culture (Any site) Test Check?
This test contains 1 specialist microbiology investigation.
Culture (Any site)
Cultures an appropriately collected specimen from the specified body site to investigate clinically significant microbial growth using the appropriate microbiology pathway.
Who May Benefit From the Culture (Any site) Test?
Culture may be useful when symptoms or clinical findings suggest a localised infection and direct microbiological investigation is required.
People with symptoms of a localised infection - Culture may identify clinically significant microbial growth.
People with recurrent infection at the same site - Laboratory investigation may help clarify the organism involved.
People whose symptoms have not responded as expected to treatment - Culture may provide additional microbiological information.
People advised by a clinician to provide a specimen for culture - The correct sample type can be selected according to the body site.
People who may require susceptibility information - Additional antibiotic-sensitivity testing may be performed where appropriate.
How to Prepare
The preparation and collection technique depend on the body site being investigated.
The clinical team will advise on the correct specimen type.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Culture (Any site) Test
Symptoms depend on the body site and type of infection being investigated.
Persistent local redness, swelling or discharge - A microbiological specimen may be appropriate.
Recurring localised infection - Culture can help investigate repeated episodes.
Non-healing or infected-looking wounds - Wound-specific microbiology may be required.
Persistent discharge from an appropriate specimen site - Culture may help identify bacterial growth.
Symptoms not improving after initial treatment - Further microbiology assessment may be useful.
A clinician has requested culture from a specific body site - Accurate site information helps determine laboratory processing.
Severe spreading infection, high fever, rapidly increasing pain, confusion or systemic illness requires prompt medical assessment.
Routine culture should not delay urgent treatment where clinically necessary.
How to Book Your Culture (Any site) Test
Culture (Any site) is arranged through a specialist microbiology pathway so the correct specimen and collection method can be used.
Choose the Culture (Any site) Test
Select the £116 microbiology culture.
Select your collection
Arrange the designated clinic collection appointment for a site-specific specimen. Applicable specimen collection charges are confirmed when booking.
Attend your appointment
The appropriate specimen is collected from the relevant body site.
Laboratory analysis
The sample is processed using the culture pathway appropriate to the specimen.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised microbiology result is returned securely.
When Will I Receive My Results?
Turnaround depends on the specimen type, microbial growth and whether additional identification or susceptibility testing is required.
The expected turnaround depends on the specimen type and should be confirmed when booking.
Understanding Your Results
A culture report may show no significant growth, mixed growth or growth of a clinically relevant organism.
The significance of the finding depends on the specimen site, symptoms, sample quality and medical history.
A positive culture does not always mean treatment is required.
A negative culture does not exclude every infection because some organisms require different laboratory methods.
Where symptoms persist, further assessment may be needed.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
London Blood Tests provides Culture (Any site) through a specialist microbiology pathway.
Specialist microbiology processing - The specimen follows the appropriate culture pathway.
Site-specific processing - The specimen is handled according to the body site provided.
Professional specimen collection - Appropriate collection technique and containers are used.
Additional susceptibility testing where appropriate - Clinically significant organisms may undergo further analysis.
Private reporting - Results are delivered securely.
Clear pricing - Culture (Any site) costs £116.
Private Culture (Any site) Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Culture (Any site) testing for £116.
The appropriate specimen is collected according to the body site and submitted for microbiological culture.
Turnaround depends on the specimen and organisms involved.