Nasopharyngeal culture

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Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Risks

Results

Nasopharyngeal culture

Definition:

Nasopharyngeal culture is a sample of secretions from the upper-most part of the throat, behind the nose. The secretions are grown in a culture medium to detect the presence of organisms that can cause disease.

Alternative Names:

Culture - nasopharyngeal; Swab for respiratory viruses; Swab for Staph carriage

How the test is performed:

You will be asked to cough before the test begins and then tilt your head back. A sterile cotton-tipped swab is gently passed through the nostril and into the nasopharynx, the part of the pharynx that covers the roof of the mouth. The swab is quickly rotated and then removed.

How to prepare for the test:

There is no special preparation necessary.

How the test will feel:

The patient may experience slight discomfort and may gag.

Why the test is performed:

The test identifies microorganisms that cause upper-respiratory tract symptoms. Nasopharyngeal cultures are useful in identifying respiratory viruses, and bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, and Bordetella pertussis, and Neisseria meningitidis. The culture may be used to help determine which antibiotic therapy is appropriate.

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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