BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuPeritoneal fluid cultureCulture - peritoneal fluidPeritoneal fluid culture is a laboratory test performed on a sample of peritoneal fluid. It is done to detect bacteria or fungi that cause infection (peritonitis).PeritonitisPeritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum. This is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Peritoneal fluid is the fluid in the peritoneal cavity, a space between the wall of the abdomen and the organs inside. How the Test is Performed A sample of peritoneal fluid is needed. This sample is obtained using a procedure called an abdominal tap (paracentesis). Abdominal tapAn abdominal tap is used to remove fluid from the area between the belly wall and the spine. This space is called the abdominal cavity or peritoneal...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A sample of fluid is sent to the laboratory for Gram stain and culture. The sample is checked to see if bacteria grows. How to Prepare for the Test Empty your bladder before your abdominal tap procedure. How the Test will Feel A small area in your lower abdomen will be cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). You will also receive local anesthesia. You will feel pressure as the needle is inserted. If a large amount of fluid is withdrawn, you may feel dizzy or lightheaded. Why the Test is Performed The test is done to find out if there is an infection in the peritoneal space. Normal Results Peritoneal fluid is a sterile fluid, so normally no bacteria or fungi are present. What Abnormal Results Mean The growth of any microorganism, such as bacteria or fungi, from peritoneal fluid is abnormal and indicates peritonitis. If you have cirrhosis and bacteria are found in your peritoneal fluid, you may have spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). This is a life-threatening infection that must be treated with antibiotics.CirrhosisCirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Spontaneous bacterial peritonitisThe peritoneum is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the organs in the abdomen. Peritonitis is present when...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risks There is a small risk of the needle puncturing the bowel, bladder, or a blood vessel in the abdomen. This may result in bowel perforation, bleeding, and infection.Bowel perforationPerforation is a hole that develops through the wall of a body organ. This problem may occur in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intes...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Considerations The peritoneal fluid culture may be negative, even if you have peritonitis. The diagnosis of peritonitis is based on other factors, in addition to the culture. Open ReferencesReferencesBush LM, Levison ME. Peritonitis and intraperitoneal abscesses. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 74.Solà E, Ginès P. Ascites and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 93.AllVideoImagesTogPeritoneal culture - illustration A peritoneal culture is a procedure where peritoneal fluid is withdrawn with a needle from the peritoneal cavity. The peritoneal cavity is the space between the two membranes lining the abdominal cavity. The test is done to determine the cause of ascites, fluid accumulation in the peritoneal space.Peritoneal cultureillustrationPeritoneal culture - illustration A peritoneal culture is a procedure where peritoneal fluid is withdrawn with a needle from the peritoneal cavity. The peritoneal cavity is the space between the two membranes lining the abdominal cavity. The test is done to determine the cause of ascites, fluid accumulation in the peritoneal space.Peritoneal cultureillustration Tests for Peritoneal fluid culture Peritoneal fluid cultureCytology exam of pleural fluidRelated Information Review Date: 11/2/2022 Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. 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Peritoneal fluid cultureCulture - peritoneal fluidPeritoneal fluid culture is a laboratory test performed on a sample of peritoneal fluid. It is done to detect bacteria or fungi that cause infection (peritonitis).PeritonitisPeritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum. This is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Peritoneal fluid is the fluid in the peritoneal cavity, a space between the wall of the abdomen and the organs inside. How the Test is Performed A sample of peritoneal fluid is needed. This sample is obtained using a procedure called an abdominal tap (paracentesis). Abdominal tapAn abdominal tap is used to remove fluid from the area between the belly wall and the spine. This space is called the abdominal cavity or peritoneal...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A sample of fluid is sent to the laboratory for Gram stain and culture. The sample is checked to see if bacteria grows. How to Prepare for the Test Empty your bladder before your abdominal tap procedure. How the Test will Feel A small area in your lower abdomen will be cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). You will also receive local anesthesia. You will feel pressure as the needle is inserted. If a large amount of fluid is withdrawn, you may feel dizzy or lightheaded. Why the Test is Performed The test is done to find out if there is an infection in the peritoneal space. Normal Results Peritoneal fluid is a sterile fluid, so normally no bacteria or fungi are present. What Abnormal Results Mean The growth of any microorganism, such as bacteria or fungi, from peritoneal fluid is abnormal and indicates peritonitis. If you have cirrhosis and bacteria are found in your peritoneal fluid, you may have spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). This is a life-threatening infection that must be treated with antibiotics.CirrhosisCirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Spontaneous bacterial peritonitisThe peritoneum is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the organs in the abdomen. Peritonitis is present when...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risks There is a small risk of the needle puncturing the bowel, bladder, or a blood vessel in the abdomen. This may result in bowel perforation, bleeding, and infection.Bowel perforationPerforation is a hole that develops through the wall of a body organ. This problem may occur in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intes...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Considerations The peritoneal fluid culture may be negative, even if you have peritonitis. The diagnosis of peritonitis is based on other factors, in addition to the culture. Open ReferencesReferencesBush LM, Levison ME. Peritonitis and intraperitoneal abscesses. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 74.Solà E, Ginès P. Ascites and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 93.