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Culture - Skin Swab

What is a Culture Skin Swab?

A culture skin swab involves collecting a sample from the skin to help diagnose infections or other underlying medical conditions.

How the Test is Conducted

The collected sample is placed in a laboratory growth medium that encourages the development of any microorganisms present on the skin.

Purpose of the Test

This test helps identify the specific bacteria or fungi responsible for the infection, allowing healthcare providers to select the most suitable treatment.

Common Uses

Skin swab cultures are often used to diagnose infections such as:

Impetigo (a bacterial skin infection)

Ringworm (a fungal skin infection)

Target Organisms

The test typically targets:

Staphylococcus aureus

Candida species

Streptococcus of Lancefield group A

Pseudomonas species

Other organisms that may be significant if found in pure growth