Mycobacterial culture is a test to look for tuberculosis or a related organism in the body. It can be done on tissue taken from the bone marrow, liver, or lungs.

See also:

• Atypical mycobacterial infection
• Tuberculosis

Culture - mycobacterial

A sample of body fluid or tissue is needed. A biopsy or aspiration will be done, depending on the suspected site of infection.

The sample is placed in a special laboratory dish (culture media) and watched to see if tuberculosis or similar bacteria grow.

The preparation depends on the suspected site of infection.

For details, see:

• Bone marrow aspiration
• Liver biopsy
• Lung biopsy

How the test will feel depends on the specific procedure.

For details, see:

• Bone marrow aspiration
• Liver biopsy
• Lung biopsy

Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of tuberculosis or a related infection.

Images

Liver culture

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Mycobacterial culture Results

Review Date: 12/01/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)