AFB For Culture at Esra Lab

Blood culture grows bacteria or fungi from a venous sample when sepsis, prolonged fever, or endocarditis is suspected. It is not a screening test for healthy people; it is ordered in hospital or when outpatient fever does not settle. Two bottles from separate sites are often drawn before antibiotics start.

No fasting is needed. The skin at the puncture site must be disinfected carefully—avoid touching the top of the bottle after cleaning. Tell the team if you took antibiotics in the last 48 hours, have a central line, or have a prosthetic heart valve. Results may take 48–72 hours or longer.