Tissue for Culture
Specialist tissue culture from a specified body site to investigate clinically significant microbial growth and support further clinical assessment.
Turnaround time
14 business days
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Tissue for Culture Test
The Tissue for Culture test is a specialist microbiology investigation performed on a tissue specimen taken from a clearly identified body site.
Unlike a blood test or surface swab, tissue culture analyses material obtained directly from tissue.
This can provide useful microbiological information where deeper infection is suspected, particularly where a clinician has already obtained tissue during a biopsy, drainage procedure, debridement or surgical procedure.
The anatomical site must be specified because the clinical significance of organisms and the laboratory culture pathway depend on where the specimen was collected.
Where clinically significant bacterial growth is identified, further organism identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing may be performed where appropriate.
A negative culture does not completely exclude infection. Previous antibiotic treatment, sampling technique, specimen volume, transport conditions and organisms that require specialised testing can all affect the result.
The Tissue for Culture test costs £116.
This is not a routine blood-draw test. The tissue must be clinically obtained using an appropriate procedure before microbiology culture can be performed.
What Does the Tissue for Culture Test Check?
This test contains 1 specialist microbiology investigation.
Tissue for Culture
Cultures a clinically collected tissue specimen from a specified anatomical site to investigate significant microbial growth and, where appropriate, support organism identification and susceptibility testing.
Who May Benefit From the Tissue for Culture Test?
Tissue culture may be appropriate where a clinician needs direct microbiological assessment of tissue rather than a superficial swab.
People undergoing investigation of a suspected deep tissue infection - Tissue may provide more representative material than a surface specimen.
People having tissue removed during a clinical procedure - A portion may be submitted for microbiological investigation where infection is suspected.
People with persistent or recurrent infection despite treatment - Direct culture can sometimes provide additional organism information.
People with an infected-looking wound or surgical site requiring tissue sampling - A clinician may determine that tissue culture is appropriate.
People undergoing debridement, drainage or biopsy where infection is part of the differential diagnosis - Tissue can be sent for culture alongside other investigations.
People whose clinician has specifically requested tissue microbiology - Correct specimen collection and site identification are essential.
How to Prepare
The specimen must be placed in an appropriate sterile microbiology container.
Tissue intended for microbiological culture should not be placed in formalin, because formalin is used for histology and prevents routine culture of viable organisms.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Tissue for Culture Test
The need for tissue culture depends on the clinical condition and the body site being investigated.
Persistent localised swelling, redness or discharge - Deep infection may require more direct sampling.
A wound that is not healing as expected - Microbiological investigation may be considered depending on clinical assessment.
Recurrent infection at the same site - Tissue culture may provide information where superficial samples have been inconclusive.
Unexpected inflammation around a surgical or biopsy site - Further assessment may be required.
Suspected infected tissue identified during a procedure - A sample may be submitted directly for culture.
Failure to respond as expected to antimicrobial treatment - Culture and susceptibility information may sometimes help guide further management.
Rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, high fever, confusion, systemic illness or suspected sepsis requires urgent medical assessment.
Tissue culture should not delay treatment where serious infection is clinically suspected.
How to Book Your Tissue for Culture Test
Tissue for Culture requires an appropriate tissue specimen and cannot be booked as a routine phlebotomy appointment.
Choose the Tissue for Culture Test
Select the £116 microbiology investigation.
Arrange specimen collection
Contact London Blood Tests so the appropriate tissue collection and laboratory pathway can be confirmed.
Attend the relevant clinical procedure
Tissue must be obtained by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Laboratory analysis
The specimen is cultured according to its anatomical site and clinical information.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised microbiology report is delivered securely.
When Will I Receive My Results?
Final results can take up to 14 days, depending on the specimen, the organisms present and whether extended culture, identification or susceptibility testing is required.
Some preliminary information may occasionally become available earlier.
Understanding Your Results
A tissue culture report may show no significant growth, mixed organisms or growth of a clinically relevant microorganism.
The significance of a positive result depends on the anatomical site, specimen quality and clinical circumstances.
Organisms that normally live on the skin or nearby surfaces may occasionally contaminate a specimen.
Where a clinically significant bacterial isolate is identified, susceptibility information may help guide antimicrobial treatment.
Some infections require dedicated fungal, mycobacterial, molecular or other specialist testing and may not be identified by routine tissue culture alone.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
London Blood Tests provides access to specialist tissue microbiology through appropriate clinical and laboratory pathways.
Direct tissue investigation - The test analyses tissue rather than relying solely on a surface swab.
Site-specific processing - The anatomical source of the specimen is documented.
Microbiological culture - Clinically significant microbial growth can be investigated.
Susceptibility testing where appropriate - Further antimicrobial information may be available for relevant isolates.
Specialist specimen handling - The tissue is submitted using the appropriate microbiology pathway.
Clear pricing - Tissue for Culture costs £116.
Private Tissue for Culture Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Tissue for Culture testing for £116.
This is a specialist microbiology investigation requiring tissue obtained during an appropriate clinical procedure.
It is not a routine blood test and therefore the standard in-clinic or at-home phlebotomy charge does not apply to obtaining the tissue itself.
Final culture results may take up to 14 days.