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Stool Culture Test

Dr. Pravallika DevisettiLast Updated on 21st January 2022

The Stool Culture test is a medical test that involves the collection and examination of your stool or feces to know if there is an ongoing infection from pathogens in your digestive system that is causing illness. This test is done if you experience any kind of symptoms related to the digestive system. If the presence of pathogens that causes the infection is found in the sample of your stool or feces, then your test is considered a positive test, and if no harmful pathogens are found, then your test is considered a negative test. The pathogens found in your stool can be normal flora that inhabits our digestive system or harmful pathogens causing the infection. Normal flora in our gut is important for digestion and to fight the growth of disease-causing bacteria.

What is the Stool Culture test used for?What is included in the Stool Culture test?Procedure for a Stool Culture test How to prepare for the Stool Culture test?What types of infection can a Stool Culture test detect?How much does a Stool Culture test cost?What do abnormal Stool Culture test results indicate?Why book a Stool Culture test?What can affect the results for Stool Culture?Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the Stool Culture test used for?

A Stool Culture test is used to detect the presence of pathogens that are causing the infection of the digestive system, especially in the lower part of the digestive tract.
You will be advised stool culture test if you have any of the following:

diarrhea,
mucus or blood in stools,
stomach ache or cramps,
nausea,
fever or feel like throwing up.
if your doctor suspects you have food contamination
or your doctor wants to check if you are still a carrier of bacteria like typhoid after its treatment.

In this test, a sample of your stool is collected and tested for the presence of bacteria causing any infection.

This test helps to determine the necessity of antibiotics or other medications in the treatment. A stool culture test is sometimes used in conjunction with other tests like a stool for ova and parasite tests to look for the presence of any parasites or Clostridium difficile toxin tests.

What is included in the Stool Culture test?

A Stool Culture test includes no other tests.

Procedure for a Stool Culture test

This test can be done at your home. You’re given a sterile and clean container with a lid to collect a stool sample at your home.

Below are the steps to be followed to give a sample for the Stool Culture Test:

If your stool isn’t watery or loose, spread a clean sheet over your toilet seat. Try collecting a sample of your stool. Do not allow your stool to touch the toilet surface as it might contain germs that can alter the test results.
Place a walnut-sized sample into the container using a small spoon or spatula that is provided. Now, put the container in a clean plastic bag and wash your hands thoroughly.
Our lab technician will arrive at your doorstep at a chosen time slot and will collect your stool sample.
Care must be taken not to mix the stool sample with urine or water.

Once we receive the sample, it is then sent to a lab for culturing, and it is analyzed further. If you are experiencing any symptoms, book a stool culture test on MFine today to check if you have an infection.

How to prepare for the Stool Culture test?

No special preparation is required for the stool culture test. However, inform your doctor about your past medical history or any current medication you are taking. Moreover, tell your doctor about any supplements, vitamins, or herbs you consume on a daily basis. All these things can affect your test results, and that is why it is crucial for your doctor to know about them.

Things to consider after the Stool Culture test is complete

Please consult your doctor once you receive the reports who will interpret them correctly and treat you accordingly. The reports can be positive or negative, indicating the presence or absence of any bacteria, respectively. Once the infection-causing bacteria are found, your doctor will suggest the proper medications to treat the infection. However, in some situations, it is possible to find no pathogens even though you are having symptoms. In that case, the doctor might advise you to go for a retest or additional tests.

It is possible to have an infection with more than one pathogen.

*What types of infection can a Stool Culture test detect?

Stool Culture Test helps to find different types of pathogens that cause gastrointestinal infections. These infections can be from different species such as Campylobacter species, Salmonella species, Shigella species, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium difficile.

Other bacteria that can cause diarrhea are Aeromonas species, Yersinia enterocolitica, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholera, etc.

How much does a Stool Culture test cost?*

A Stool Culture Test costs vary depending upon the different cities of India. The average cost varies from as low as Rs. 280/- in a metro city like Hyderabad to as high as Rs. 500-1000 in other cities like Mumbai.

If you wish to book a stool culture test, talk to the healthcare provider and understand the cost in detail.

Furthermore, you can now easily book a stool culture test on the MFine app. Visit our application now and book a test today.

*Disclaimer: The value varies based on location, time, and your preferred lab partner.

How long does it take to get the results for the Stool Culture test?

You can expect to get the results for the Stool Culture test within 24 to 48 hours after the sample is collected. However, in certain cases, depending on the location, medical advice, and preferred lab partner, it may take longer.

What do abnormal Stool Culture test results indicate?

The reports show the result as “no growth observed” or as “no organism is isolated in 24 or 48 hours” if there is no harmful pathogen in your stool sample. This means the stool culture test is negative.

If there is any growth of harmful pathogens within 24 or 48 hours, that means the stool culture test is positive. The name of the pathogenic bacteria that has grown in the stool culture is mentioned in the report as “Salmonella or Shigella is isolated.”

Furthermore, it is always advisable to consult your doctor to interpret the test reports. They will tell you about the results in detail. They will help you with further treatment.

Disclaimer: Please consult with your doctor for interpreting the test reports.

Is Stool Culture a definitive test?

Yes, a stool culture test is a definitive test as it can detect a particular pathogen causing the infection.

In most cases, the results are accurate, and we get to know the reason behind diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. However, in rare cases, you might need a retest or additional test to get a diagnosis.

How is a stool sample processed for a stool culture test?

After the homogenization and centrifugation of fresh and watery stool samples, the electrolyte intensities and pH is measured in the watery part of your feces. This pH range determines if your stool contains infectious bacteria. The normal pH range is between 7.0 to 7.5. If this range goes below 5.5, then this indicates that your feces is acidic. The acidic feces indicates that your stool contains pathogens that are responsible for causing infections.

If you are experiencing any symptoms, you can book a stool culture test on MFine in just a few clicks. Book a test today!

Why book a Stool Culture test?

Your doctor will suggest this test if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms. They might call the need to book a Stool Culture Test.

These symptoms may include:

Diarrhea lasting more than a few days,
Stool containing mucus or blood,
Nausea,
Stomach pain or cramps,
Frequent vomiting,
Fever,
If a doctor suspects you have food contamination.
If the doctor wants to check if you are still a carrier of bacteria like typhoid after treatment.

Stool Culture test at home – how does it work?

The at-home Stool Culture tests are an easy procedure. It is a 100% safe and hygienic way to collect your sample and get it tested. For this, you have to collect your stool sample in a sterile and clean container. A lab technician visits your home when you book your tests through the MFine app. The lab technician collects the sample properly and takes it to get tested. Once the doctors analyze the sample, you can see online reports in the MFine application.

You can also further consult the doctors to get a clear interpretation of the reports.

Are there any risks involved with Stool Culture?

No risks are involved with the Stool Culture test. This test is an easy, risk-free, and effective way to know if your stool contains pathogens that can cause infections. However, your stool might contain some infectious pathogens and can spread to others through the contamination of food or water. So, always clean your hands with an antibacterial soap or hand wash after collecting the sample.

What can affect the results for Stool Culture?

Usually, a Stool Culture Test is an easy, risk-free, and effective way to find the reason behind your ill stomach. But the results of stool Culture can be affected by various medications that you’re taking. These medicines include enemas, antibiotics, medicines for diarrhea, and laxatives. It is advised to keep your doctor informed about your medication before taking a Stool Culture Test. Furthermore, a contaminated stool sample from urine or water can have altered results.
If the stool sample is not fresh, it can alter the test results as the multiplication of bacteria can get affected with time and exposure to various temperatures.

If you wish to book a stool culture test, you can do it in just a few clicks on the MFine mobile application.

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Frequently Asked Questions | FAQs

Is the lab technician coming for the Stool Culture sample collection vaccinated?

Yes. Our lab technicians are fully vaccinated. Further, they also ensure safety throughout by wearing a mask, gloves and frequently sanitizing themselves during the sample collection. The process is 100% safe and hygienic.

Does MFine provide the interpretation for the results along with the reports?

Yes, MFine provides the interpretation for the result along with the reports. You can also avail yourself of a free medical consultation with a doctor to understand your reports accurately. The doctor will also advise and prescribe medicines, if required, based on the results.

How can I download my Stool Culture test report?

To download your reports, follow the below steps:

Login to MFine account.
Go to your profile.
Click on Attachment and Reports.
Click on Lab Report.
Download the report.

Are there any discount offers running on the Stool Culture test?

Usually, you can avail yourself of up to a 50% discount on Stool Culture through MFine. However, the discount and test price may vary based on lab partner and location. Visit our website to see current offers or discounts based on your location.

What diseases are associated with occult blood?

Occult blood or blood in the stool may indicate an underlying health condition. It may occur in the following conditions: Hemorrhoids, infection in the intestines, ulcers, colitis, polyps, etc. If you are experiencing any symptoms related to these conditions, consult our experts or book a test today.

How can I prevent bacterial infection?

To prevent bacterial infection of your gut, take care of the food and water hygiene before its consumption. Wash your hands before and after meals to get rid of all the germs on your palms. If you are traveling outside, take care of the food and water choices that you make. Also, eat and drink items that are fresh and home-cooked or packed hygienically.

Why should the stool sample be fresh?

If the stool sample is not fresh, the reports can not give accurate results. This is because if the sample is not fresh, the proportion of bacteria in the sample can change, which affects the results. It is advised to take care of the time limit and handle the sample to the lab technician on time.

What other factors can cause diarrhea?

Other than bacterial infections, some viral infections like norovirus, hepatitis A, parasitic infections such as giardiasis, medication, food intolerance can cause diarrhea. Moreover, some diseases like malabsorption, celiac disease, or inflammatory bowel disease can also cause the same.

Can I get affected by a bacteria twice?

Yes, sometimes there are chances of reinfection with a particular strain of bacteria. This is because your body may have developed a short-term immunity to that bacteria, and there is a high risk of getting infected by the same bacteria more than once.

When to consult a doctor?

If you have diarrhea for more than 3-4 days or more than 5 times in a day leading to dehydration, weakness, giddiness, or experience stomach pain, cramps, nausea, it is a sign that you need medical attention. For this, consult a doctor and tell him about your symptoms in detail.