HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Can One Detect All Kind Of Bacteria In Blood Culture Like Infection In The Gums, Tonsil Or Parotid Or Lymph Nodes?

default
Posted on Mon, 13 Nov 2023
Question: Can you detect all kind of bacteria in blood culture? For example, simple infections like infection in gum, tonsil or parotid or lymph node?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

In simple infections like an infection in the gums, bacteria are located just in the tissues, and are not multiplying in the blood stream. The body has many immunological defense mechanisms to keep bacteria out of the blood. Sometimes there can be a transient bacteremia. But to have a positive blood culture, there would need to be bacteria entering the blood stream in adequate numbers to be found in a given blood draw and grow on culture.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (4 minutes later)
So what type of cultures are done to detect infection in Gum or throat or parotid?

Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Usually direct cultures of the tissues involved. For example if the gum is oozing pus (and sometimes even if there isn't obvious discharge), that discharge or area of tissue can be swabbed with a sterile cotton swab applicator and then cultured on a plate of agar or other medium.

Regarding the blood cultures, we do those if a person is running fevers and overall sick and we don't know what the cause is. Bacteria in the blood will make a person very sick and with fevers.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Can One Detect All Kind Of Bacteria In Blood Culture Like Infection In The Gums, Tonsil Or Parotid Or Lymph Nodes?

Brief Answer: Information Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, In simple infections like an infection in the gums, bacteria are located just in the tissues, and are not multiplying in the blood stream. The body has many immunological defense mechanisms to keep bacteria out of the blood. Sometimes there can be a transient bacteremia. But to have a positive blood culture, there would need to be bacteria entering the blood stream in adequate numbers to be found in a given blood draw and grow on culture.