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Pleural culture
Pleural culture

Pleural fluid culture
Definition:
A laboratory test performed on pleural fluid (fluid in the space around the lungs), used to isolate and identify organisms that cause infection.

Alternative Names:
Culture - pleural fluid

How the test is performed:
A sample of pleural fluid is placed on culture plates containing growth media. When colonies of microorganisms have reached sufficient size, a series of biochemical tests can be performed to identify the presence of specific organisms.
How to prepare for the test:
It is important not to cough, breathe deeply, or move when the fluid sample is being taken. There is no other special preparation for the test.

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:
How the test will feel:

The specimen is obtained by thoracentesis (a needle aspiration of fluid in the pleural space). The chest is cleansed with antibacterial soap. The area is anesthetized with local anesthetic. Then, a needle is placed between the ribs, and a sample of fluid is withdrawn from the chest.

You may feel a stinging sensation when the anesthetic in injected. You may feel some pressure and slight localized pain when the thoracentesis needle enters the pleural space. A chest X-ray is usually done following the test to be sure the lung tissue was not affected by the test.
Why the test is performed:
The test is performed when infection of the pleural space is suspected, or when an abnormal collection of pleural fluid is noticed by chest X-ray.
Normal Values:

Normally, no organisms are present in the pleural fluid.
What abnormal results mean:
Abnormal results may indicate pneumonia, tuberculosis, or a lung abscess. Pulmonary nocardiosis is an additional condition under which the test may be performed.
What the risks are:
There is a risk of internal bleeding into the lung and pneumothorax (collapsed lung). Serious complications are extremely rare.
Special considerations:

The fluid smear cost does not include the cost of the procedure to obtain the specimen. Other tests may be done on the sample of fluid obtained.
Review Date: 1/27/2002
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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