Small intestine aspirate and culture

A sample of fluid from the small intestine is needed. A sample is taken during an upper endoscopy ( esophagogastroduodenoscopy , also called an EGD). The fluid is placed in a special dish in the laboratory. It is watched for growth of bacteria or other organisms. This is called a culture.

You are not involved in the test once the sample is taken.

Your health care provider may order this test if you have signs of too much bacteria growing in the intestinal tract. In most cases, other tests are done first. This test is rarely done outside of a research setting. In most cases, it has been replaced by a breath test that checks for excess bacteria in the small…

No bacteria should be found. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

Abnormal results may be a sign of infection.

There are no risks associated with a laboratory culture. The risks of the EGD procedure include: Bleeding Perforation of (poking a hole in) the gastrointestinal tract by the scope Infection Some people may not be able to have this test because of other medical conditions.

Höegenauer C, Hammer HF. Maldigestion and malabsorption. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 104. Lacy BE, DiBaise JK. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds.…