Cultured Aerobic Bacteria Identification and Sensitivity Test
Short Name: Aerobic Culture & Sensitivity
Also known as: Aerobic Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity Test, Aerobic Culture & Antibiotic Susceptibility Test, Bacterial Identification and Sensitivity, Aerobic Organism Identification Test
Cultured Aerobic Bacteria Identification and Sensitivity Test test available at DNA Labs India for ₹3,500. Uses Sub-culture on selective and differential media, Gram stain and microscopy, Biochemical identification tests, Automated bacterial identification system, Antibiotic susceptibility testing (Kirby-Bauer Disc Diffusion / Automated MIC) on Pure isolate on appropriate transport/ culture media samples. Results in Sample accepted daily by 3:30 PM. Report available within 3 working days of sample receipt.. Free home collection in 300+ cities across India.
🩺 Medically Reviewed By
Dr Kothari Ramesh Shantilal
Consultant Microbiologist · Reg: 27670
Last reviewed: September 7, 2026
Overview
The primary purpose of the Cultured Aerobic Bacteria Identification and Sensitivity Test is to identify the specific aerobic bacterial organism causing an infection and determine which antibiotics are effective against it. This allows healthcare providers to prescribe targeted antibiotic therapy rather than relying on broad-spectrum empiric treatment, leading to better patient outcomes, reduced treatment failure, and minimised risk of antimicrobial resistance.
- Test Code
- 427
- CPT Code
- 87077
- ICD Code
- B96.89
- Price
- ₹3,500
- Sample Type
- Pure isolate on appropriate transport/ culture media
- Result Time
- Sample accepted daily by 3:30 PM. Report available within 3 working days of sample receipt.
- Fasting Required
- No
- Method
- Sub-culture on selective and differential media, Gram stain and microscopy, Biochemical identification tests, Automated bacterial identification system, Antibiotic susceptibility testing (Kirby-Bauer Disc Diffusion / Automated MIC)
Sample Collection
No special preparation is required from the patient. Ensure the physician specifies the collection site and provides a brief clinical history on the requisition form. If a prior culture has been performed, the pure isolate should be submitted on appropriate transport or culture media.
Method: Clinical specimen collection by physician; isolate submitted on appropriate media
Laboratory Analysis
The clinical specimen (e.g., wound swab, urine, sputum, blood culture bottle) should be collected aseptically following standard microbiological collection protocols. If submitting a pure isolate, transfer it onto appropriate transport media using sterile technique. Label the specimen clearly with patient details and collection site.
Report Delivery
Ship the specimen refrigerated (2–8°C). Do NOT freeze. Ensure timely transport to the laboratory to maintain organism viability. The specimen should reach the lab preferably within 24 hours of collection.
Timeline: Sample accepted daily by 3:30 PM. Report available within 3 working days of sample receipt.
Patient Instructions
About This Test
Who Should Get This Test
The primary purpose of the Cultured Aerobic Bacteria Identification and Sensitivity Test is to identify the specific aerobic bacterial organism causing an infection and determine which antibiotics are effective against it. This allows healthcare providers to prescribe targeted antibiotic therapy rather than relying on broad-spectrum empiric treatment, leading to better patient outcomes, reduced treatment failure, and minimised risk of antimicrobial resistance.
How to Prepare
- Submit the pure isolate on appropriate culture or transport media as specified by the laboratory
- Ship the specimen refrigerated (2–8°C); do NOT freeze under any circumstances
- Clearly specify the collection site (e.g., wound, urine, sputum) on the requisition form
- Provide a brief clinical history including suspected infection site and any prior antibiotic use
- Ensure the specimen is labelled correctly with patient name, date, and sample source
- For best results, collect the specimen before initiating antibiotic therapy
Doctor's Notes
Reviewed by Dr Kothari Ramesh Shantilal — MBBS, MD (Microbiology) · Reg. No. 27670
"Accurate identification of the causative aerobic organism and its antibiotic susceptibility profile is critical for initiating targeted antimicrobial therapy. Empiric antibiotic use without culture-guided results contributes to antimicrobial resistance. I recommend this test for any patient with a suspected bacterial infection where a clinical specimen or pure isolate is available, as it directly guides effective treatment decisions and helps reduce unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotic use."
Last medically reviewed: September 7, 2026
Test Parameters & Specifications
Sample Stability
- Specimen received frozen
- Specimen received after 48 hours of collection without refrigeration
- Specimen container leaking or damaged
- Specimen without proper labelling or requisition form
- Unlabelled or mislabelled specimens
- Specimen in inappropriate or expired transport media
Understanding Your Results
Susceptible (S)
The organism is inhibited by the standard dose of the antibiotic. This antibiotic is likely to be effective for treatment.
Intermediate (I)
The organism may be inhibited at higher doses or in body sites where the antibiotic concentrates. Clinical efficacy is uncertain.
Resistant (R)
The organism is not inhibited by achievable concentrations of the antibiotic at standard dosing.
No Growth
No aerobic bacterial organism was recovered from the submitted specimen.
Consult your doctor if you experience symptoms of a bacterial infection such as persistent fever, wound redness or discharge, painful urination, productive cough, or any signs that are worsening despite initial treatment. You should also consult your physician to interpret the culture and sensitivity report and to initiate or modify antibiotic therapy based on the results. Do not self-medicate with antibiotics.
Limitations
- ⚠This test is designed for aerobic organisms only; anaerobic bacteria require a separate anaerobic culture
- ⚠Some fastidious organisms may fail to grow on routine media and require specialised culture conditions
- ⚠Automated identification systems may not accurately identify rare or atypical organisms
- ⚠Antibiotic susceptibility results may not correlate with clinical outcome in all cases due to host factors
- ⚠The test identifies bacteria but does not detect viruses, fungi, or parasites
Risks & Considerations
- ●There are no direct physical risks to the patient from this laboratory test as it is performed on a submitted specimen
- ●If a new specimen collection is required (e.g., wound swab, blood draw), standard collection-related risks such as minor discomfort, bruising, or local infection at the puncture site may apply
- ●Risks of not performing the test include inappropriate antibiotic selection, treatment failure, and contribution to antimicrobial resistance
Interfering Factors
- ●Prior or concurrent antibiotic therapy may suppress bacterial growth and yield false-negative results
- ●Improper specimen collection or transport may lead to contamination or loss of viable organisms
- ●Submission of a non-pure isolate (mixed culture) may compromise accurate identification
- ●Failure to ship specimen refrigerated (not frozen) may reduce organism viability
- ●Overgrowth by commensal organisms may mask the pathogen of interest
Compare With Similar Tests
| Test | Cultured Aerobic Bacteria Identification and Sensitivity Test | Anaerobic Culture and Sensitivity Test | Blood Culture | Fungal Culture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comparison | Cultured Aerobic Bacteria Identification and Sensitivity Test | While the aerobic culture identifies oxygen-dependent bacteria, the anaerobic culture targets organisms that grow in the absence of oxygen, such as Clostridium and Bacteroides species. Both tests may be needed depending on the infection site. | Blood culture is designed to detect bacteria circulating in the bloodstream and typically uses automated continuous-monitoring systems. The aerobic culture and sensitivity test may be performed on a variety of specimen types and focuses on organism identification and antibiotic profiling. | Fungal culture identifies yeast and mould infections using specialised media and incubation conditions, whereas the aerobic bacterial culture targets bacteria only. Different media, temperatures, and incubation periods are used. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cultured Aerobic Bacteria Identification and Sensitivity Test?
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