Mycobacterial culture

A sample of body fluid or tissue is needed. This sample may be taken from the lungs, liver, or bone marrow.

Most often, a sputum sample will be taken. To obtain a sample, you will be asked to cough deeply and spit out the material that comes up from your lungs.

A biopsy or aspiration may also be done.

The sample is sent to a lab. There it is placed in a special dish (culture). It is then watched for up to 6 weeks to see if the bacteria grow.

Preparation depends on how the test is done. Follow your health care provider's instructions.

How the test will feel depends on the specific procedure. Your provider can discuss this with you before the test.

Your provider may order this test if you have signs of tuberculosis or a related infection.

If there is no disease present, there will be no growth of bacteria in the culture medium.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis or similar bacteria are present in the culture.

Risks depend on the specific biopsy or aspiration being performed.

Culture - mycobacterial

Bailey TC, Philips JA. Tuberculosis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 299.

Huaman MA, Sterling TR, Haas DW. Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In: Blaser MJ, Cohen JI, Holland SM, et al, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 255.

Rodino KG, Woods GL, Wengenack NL. Mycobacteria. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods.24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 59.

Updated by: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.