Culture Automated Bone Marrow (Blood Culture Bottle), Aerobic - VITEK Test
About Culture Automated Bone Marrow (Blood Culture Bottle), Aerobic - VITEK Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Bone Marrow Culture Aerobic, Bone Marrow Culture and Sensitivity (Aerobic), Automated Bone Marrow Culture VITEK |
| Sample Type | Bone marrow aspirate, collected in an aerobic blood culture bottle |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 5 to 6 working days |
| Recommended For | Adults and children of all ages with suspected bone marrow infection |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,200 |
What Is a Culture Automated Bone Marrow (Blood Culture Bottle), Aerobic - VITEK Test?
The Culture Automated Bone Marrow test is a specialised diagnostic test that detects bacterial and fungal infections inside the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue found inside bones that produces blood cells. When an infection takes hold there, it can seriously disrupt normal blood cell production.
A small sample of bone marrow is collected and placed in an aerobic blood culture bottle, then analysed using the VITEK automated system. This test is also referred to as the Bone Marrow Culture and Sensitivity test or Automated Bone Marrow Culture VITEK.
What Does a Culture Automated Bone Marrow (Blood Culture Bottle), Aerobic - VITEK Test Measure?
This test examines a bone marrow sample to identify any organisms causing infection and to guide treatment decisions. The VITEK system uses biochemical and metabolic analysis to identify microorganisms with precision.
The following components are assessed during this test:
| Parameter | What It Checks |
|---|---|
| Aerobic bacterial growth | Detects bacteria that need oxygen to grow |
| Fungal growth | Identifies fungi causing infection in the bone marrow |
| Organism identification | Names the specific bacterium or fungus present |
| Antibiotic susceptibility | Shows which antibiotics can effectively treat the identified organism |
Why Is a Culture Automated Bone Marrow (Blood Culture Bottle), Aerobic - VITEK Test Done?
Doctors order this test when a patient shows signs of a deep-seated or persistent infection that may involve the bone marrow.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
- Prolonged unexplained fever that does not resolve with standard treatment
- Bone pain, particularly in the pelvis or spine
- Persistent fatigue and generalised weakness
- Night sweats occurring regularly
- Unexplained weight loss
- Recurrent infections, suggesting a problem with blood cell production
- Severe tiredness combined with other systemic symptoms
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test helps identify several serious infections. The following conditions may be diagnosed using bone marrow culture:
- Brucellosis, a bacterial infection for which bone marrow culture is more reliable than blood culture
- Typhoid fever caused by Salmonella typhi
- Tuberculosis of the bone marrow, including disseminated TB involving multiple organs
- Histoplasmosis and other widespread fungal infections
- Other bacterial infections affecting the bone marrow
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is needed for this test, but a few practical steps will help the procedure go smoothly.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required before this test. You can eat and drink normally on the day of the procedure. If you are taking other tests alongside this one, check with your doctor whether any of those require fasting beforehand.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
- Tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking, especially blood thinners and antibiotics.
- Inform the doctor of any known allergies, particularly to local anaesthetics (numbing medicines).
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the hip or chest area.
- Bring a family member or friend along if you feel anxious about the procedure.
Step-by-Step Procedure
- The doctor or nurse selects the collection site, usually the back of the pelvic bone or the front of the breastbone.
- The skin over the area is cleaned with an antiseptic solution, and a local anaesthetic is injected to numb the area.
- A fine needle is passed through the skin into the bone, and the liquid portion of the bone marrow (approximately 5 to 10 ml) is drawn out by gentle suction.
- The collected sample is placed into an aerobic blood culture bottle to preserve the organisms for testing.
- The sealed bottle is sent to the laboratory, where it is incubated for up to five days and monitored daily for signs of bacterial or fungal growth.
- If growth is detected, the VITEK system identifies the organism and determines which antibiotics are effective against it.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors may influence the reliability of the Culture Automated Bone Marrow test result:
- Taking antibiotics before the test, which may suppress bacterial growth
- Collecting an inadequate volume of bone marrow sample
- Poor aseptic (sterile) technique during sample collection
- Delays in transporting the sample to the laboratory
- Incorrect incubation temperature or conditions
Understanding Your Culture Automated Bone Marrow (Blood Culture Bottle), Aerobic - VITEK Test Results
Results from this test are reported as either negative (no growth) or positive (growth detected). A doctor must always review the result in the context of your full clinical picture.
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Negative (No growth) | No bacteria or fungi were detected in the bone marrow sample |
| Positive (Growth detected) | Bacteria or fungi were identified; a detailed organism identification and antibiotic sensitivity report will be provided |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain situations can affect how results are interpreted.
- Prior antibiotic use reduces the reliability of blood cultures more significantly than it affects bone marrow cultures. Bone marrow sampling can therefore still yield useful results even when a patient has already started antibiotic treatment.
- Patients with a weakened immune system, including those with AIDS, may carry atypical organisms not detectable under standard aerobic culture conditions. Your doctor will consider your immune status when reviewing results.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
While this test detects active infection rather than monitoring a chronic condition, general hygiene and prompt care support overall health:
- Practise good personal hygiene to reduce the risk of bacterial and fungal infections.
- Always complete a full prescribed course of antibiotics, even if symptoms improve early.
- See a doctor promptly if you develop a persistent or unexplained fever lasting more than a few days.
Lupin Diagnostics Culture Automated Bone Marrow (Blood Culture Bottle), Aerobic - VITEK Test Price and Home Collection
The Culture Automated Bone Marrow test is available at Lupin Diagnostics starting at approximately ₹1,200. Home collection or hospital assistance is available across major Indian cities.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | ₹1,200 |
| Bangalore | ₹1,200 |
| Chennai | ₹1,200 |
| Hyderabad | ₹1,200 |
| Kolkata | ₹1,200 |
| Pune | ₹1,200 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers booking support for the Bone Marrow Culture and Sensitivity test near me across cities in India. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories, ensuring consistent quality standards. Digital reports are delivered via email or WhatsApp within 5 to 6 working days.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a specialised test used to detect bacterial and fungal infections in the bone marrow. The VITEK system identifies the exact organism present and determines which antibiotics it responds to, helping doctors choose the most effective treatment.
For infections such as brucellosis, bone marrow cultures detect the organism in around 92% of cases, compared to 70% for blood cultures. Bacteria also multiply faster in bone marrow samples, making results available sooner.
You will feel a brief sting when the numbing medicine is injected. There may be mild pressure as the needle enters the bone, and a sharp pulling sensation when the marrow is drawn out. A local anaesthetic is used throughout to reduce discomfort as much as possible.
Results are typically ready within 5 to 6 working days from the date of sample collection. This allows enough time for the sample to be incubated and for any organisms to be fully identified and tested for antibiotic sensitivity.
You can search for collection centres or book a home collection through the Lupin Diagnostics website. Simply enter your city and preferred time slot to find the nearest available option.
Antibiotics in your system can affect culture results. You should discuss this with your doctor before the procedure. Your doctor will advise whether to pause antibiotic treatment or adjust the testing approach based on your situation.
A positive result means that bacteria or fungi were detected in your bone marrow sample. Your doctor will use the organism identification and sensitivity report to plan the next steps. Always consult your healthcare provider for a full assessment of your results.
Culture Automated Bone Marrow (Blood Culture Bottle), Aerobic - VITEK Test
