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Bronchoscopic culture
Overview
A bronchoscopic culture is a laboratory test used to isolate and identify organisms that cause infection in the lungs. In order to perform the culture a sample of lung tissue or secretion from the lung is needed. A bronchoscope (a thin, flexible fiberoptic tube) is often used to obtain the lung tissue sample. Evidence of infection such as abscesses, inflammation, or abnormal secretions may be observed during the procedure.
Review Date 11/6/2025
Updated by: Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
