Bile culture

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Bile culture

Overview

Risks

Results

Bile culture

Definition:

Bile culture is a test to detect infection in the biliary (liver secretion) tract.

Alternative Names:

Culture - bile

How the test is performed:

Through surgery or a procedure such as ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), a specimen of bile is obtained for examination in the laboratory. It is placed in culture media and observed for growth of microorganisms that are then identified.

The specimen may be obtained during or after gallbladder surgery from a tube to drain bile. A specimen may possibly be obtained during a radiology procedure to evaluate the gallbladder or biliary (liver secretion) system.

How to prepare for the test:

The culture is usually tested in association with another procedure or surgery (see the specific procedure).

How the test will feel:

The method of sampling determines how the test will feel.

Why the test is performed:

This test is performed to detect microorganisms within the biliary system.

Review Date: 2/10/2006
Reviewed 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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