MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Small intestinal aspirate and culture

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Small intestinal aspirate and culture

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition How the Test is Performed How to Prepare for the Test How the Test Will Feel	Why the Test is Performed Normal Results What Abnormal Results Mean Risks Considerations

Illustrations

Duodenal tissue culture

Definition Return to top

Small intestinal aspirate and culture is a test for the presence of an infection in the small intestine.

How the Test is Performed Return to top

The specimen is obtained by EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), a flexible scope that is passed through the digestive tract to the small intestine to view the organs and obtain specimens.

A small amount of fluid present in the small intestine can be withdrawn through the scope. The fluid is placed in culture media in the laboratory and observed for growth of organisms.

How to Prepare for the Test Return to top

The preparation is the same as for an EGD.

How the Test Will Feel Return to top

The test will feel the same as an EGD.

Why the Test is Performed Return to top

The test is performed to diagnose infections of the intestinal tract.

Normally, many types of organisms are present in the small intestine that do not cause disease. The test may also be performed in certain situations when normal intestinal bacteria is not desirable, such as in transplantation or other conditions that cause immunosuppression.

Normal Results Return to top

No disease-causing organisms should be found under normal conditions.

What Abnormal Results Mean Return to top

Abnormal results may indicated the presence of infection. When antibiotic therapy is prolonged, sometimes the normal intestinal organisms are not present.

Risks Return to top

The risks are the same as for an EGD.

Considerations Return to top

Not applicable.

Update Date: 2/10/2006

Updated by: Kenneth Wener, M.D., Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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