Skin and Wound Cultures

Wound and Skin Cultures

Results

A skin or wound culture is a test to find and identify germs (such as bacteria, a fungus, or a virus) that may be growing on the skin or in a wound.

Some types of bacteria or fungus grow quickly in culture, and some grow slowly. Test results may take from one day to several weeks, depending on the type of infection suspected.

Skin and wound cultures

Normal:	No large numbers of harmful germs are found on the skin or in the wound. Normal culture results are negative.
Abnormal:	Harmful germs are found on the skin or in the wound. Abnormal culture results are positive.

If test results are positive, sensitivity testing may be done help make decisions about treatment.

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: August 31, 2006
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
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