Gastric culture |
| Definition: |
| A gastric culture is a test used in children to identify the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (mycobacterium tuberculosis) in gastric (stomach) contents. |
| Alternative Names: |
| Gastric aspiration for detection of tuberculosis
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| How the test is performed: |
| A naso-gastric tube is placed through the nose into your child's stomach. Your child may be given a glass of water and asked to swallow while the tube is advanced. Once the tube is in the stomach, a syringe is used to withdraw a sample. The tube is then removed through the nose, and the sample is taken to the laboratory. |
| How to prepare for the test: |
| Your child will need to fast for 8 to 10 hours before the test. The sample is collected in the morning. Infants and children: The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
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| How the test will feel: |
| While the tube is being passed through the nose and throat, your child may feel some discomfort and may also feel the urge to vomit. |
| Why the test is performed: |
| This test is useful in the diagnosis of pulmonary (lung) tuberculosis in children in whom an adequate sputum sample cannot be obtained. |
| Normal Values: |
| Normally the bacteria which causes tuberculosis are not present in gastric culture. |
| What abnormal results mean: |
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The diagnosis of tuberculosis is made if Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis, is grown from the gastric culture. Because this bacteria is slow to grow, it may take up to 6 weeks for the diagnosis to be confirmed. There are other mycobacteria which do not cause tuberculosis which may be also be detected by this test. |
| What the risks are: |
| Anytime a naso-gastric tube is inserted down the back of the throat, there is a small chance that the tube will enter the trachea instead of the esophagus. If this happens, your child may cough, gasp, and have trouble breathing. This is reversed by taking the tube out. There is also a small chance that some of the stomach contents may enter the lung. |
| Special considerations: |
| The final results from this test may not be known for 6 weeks, as it may take that long for the bacteria which causes tuberculosis to grow. Your physician will decide whether to start treatment before the final results from this test are known. |
Reviewed By: Rocio Hurtado, M.D., Infectious Diseases Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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