Body Fluid Culture (Ascitic / CSF / Amniotic Fluid), Conventional Identification & AST
This test is performed to detect and identify bacterial or fungal infections in sterile body fluids such as:
-
Ascitic Fluid – fluid from the abdomen
-
CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid) – fluid around the brain and spinal cord
-
Amniotic Fluid – fluid surrounding the baby during pregnancy
What the Test Includes
- Culture of the body fluid sample
- Conventional microbial identification
- AST (Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing) to determine which antibiotics are effective against the detected organism
Why the Test is Done
- Diagnose serious infections
- Identify the causative microorganism
- Guide targeted antibiotic treatment
- Monitor infection severity and treatment response
Common Conditions Evaluated
- Meningitis
- Peritonitis
- Intra-amniotic infection
- Post-surgical or hospital-acquired infections
- Sepsis-related infections
Sample Required
Sterile body fluid sample collected by a medical professional.
Turnaround Time
Usually 48–72 hours, depending on organism growth.
Preparation
No special preparation is generally required unless advised by the doctor.
