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Esophageal culture

Esophageal culture

Definition

Esophageal culture is a laboratory test that checks for infection-causing substances in a sample of tissue from esophagus.

Alternative Names

Culture - esophageal

Why the Test is Performed

Your doctor may order this test if you have signs or symptoms of an esophageal infection or disease, or if an ongoing infection does not respond to treatment.

How the Test is Performed

A sample of tissue from your esophagus is needed. For information on how this is done, see esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).

The sample is sent to a lab, where it is placed on a special dish (culture media) and checked daily to see if any bacteria, fungus, or virus grows.

Other tests may be done to determine what medication can best treat the organism.

How to Prepare for the Test

There is no preparation needed for a culture. For information on how to prepare for the removal of a piece of esophageal tissue, see EGD.

How the Test Will Feel

The laboratory test is painless and does not involve the patient. For information on how the test to obtain the sample feels, see the article on EGD.

Risks

There are no risks related to the culture. For information on risks related to the EGD procedure, see EGD.

Considerations

Other procedures or tests may be done along with an esophageal culture.

Normal Results

A normal result means that no microorganisms were seen on the laboratory dish.

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results are a sign of an infection of the esophagus. The infection may be due to a bacteria, virus, or fungus.

See also:

Review Date: 12/3/2007
Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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