Stool Culture and Sensitivity Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About Stool Culture and Sensitivity Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Stool C/S Test, Faecal Culture, Stool Culture Aerobic, Enteric Pathogens Culture, Culture and Sensitivity Stool |
| Sample Type | Stool (faeces) |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 2 to 3 working days (up to 5 days for negative cultures) |
| Recommended For | All ages and genders with gastrointestinal symptoms |
| Price | Starting at ₹750 |
What Is a Stool Culture and Sensitivity Test?
The Stool Culture and Sensitivity test is a laboratory test that examines a stool sample to detect harmful bacteria in the digestive tract. It identifies which specific bacteria are causing an infection and, through the sensitivity component, determines which antibiotics can effectively treat it. Doctors commonly order this test when a patient has persistent or severe digestive symptoms. It is also known as the Stool C/S test, Faecal Culture, or Enteric Pathogens Culture.
What Does a Stool Culture and Sensitivity Test Measure?
This test works in two stages. First, the stool sample is placed in a growth medium in the laboratory to detect any harmful bacteria present. Second, if bacteria are found, their sensitivity to various antibiotics is assessed.
The following common pathogens can be detected:
- Campylobacter – often linked to undercooked poultry or unpasteurised milk
- Salmonella – associated with raw eggs, raw poultry, and undercooked vegetables
- Shigella – spread through food or water contaminated by an infected person's stool
- Escherichia coli (E. coli) – found in undercooked beef, raw spinach, or unpasteurised cider
- Clostridium difficile (C. diff) – normally present in the gut but can overgrow when antibiotics are overused
Why Is a Stool Culture and Sensitivity Test Done?
A doctor may order a Stool C/S test when symptoms suggest a bacterial infection in the gut. The results help identify the cause and guide appropriate treatment.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms are typical reasons a doctor may request this test:
- Diarrhoea that is severe or lasts more than a few days
- Abdominal cramps or pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever alongside digestive symptoms
- Blood or mucus in the stool
- Signs of dehydration, such as excessive thirst or reduced urination
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test can help identify a range of bacterial infections. Some of the conditions it may detect include:
- Typhoid fever and enteric fever
- Bacillary dysentery and Salmonella infection
- Food poisoning (bacterial gastroenteritis)
- Campylobacteriosis
- Vibrio cholerae infection (cholera)
- Clostridium difficile infection, particularly following antibiotic use
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Preparing correctly for this test is important, as the quality of the stool sample directly affects the accuracy of the result.
Do You Need to Fast?
No, fasting is not required before this test. You can eat and drink normally before collecting your sample. However, certain medicines can affect results, so speak with your doctor before the test if you are taking any medication.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Keep the following points in mind before and during sample collection:
- Urinate before collecting the stool sample to avoid contaminating the sample with urine.
- Use only a clean, sterile, leak-proof container with a screw cap for collection.
- Collect a small amount, around 5 to 10 grams (roughly 1 to 2 teaspoons).
- Do not use matchboxes, paper, or absorbent materials for collection.
- Inform your doctor about all prescription medicines, herbal supplements, and Ayurvedic medicines you are taking.
Step-by-Step Procedure
Here is what to expect during the sample collection process:
- Obtain a sterile, leak-proof collection container from the laboratory or collection centre.
- Pass the stool directly into the container, taking care to avoid mixing it with urine, water, or toilet tissue.
- Close the container lid securely and wash your hands thoroughly.
- Take the sample to the laboratory within two hours of collection. If this is not possible, use a preservative vial provided by the lab.
- In the laboratory, a technician places the sample in a growth medium (a gel that encourages bacteria to multiply to detectable levels).
- If bacteria grow, they are identified, and their sensitivity to antibiotics is tested.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors may influence how reliable your result is:
- Recent or current antibiotic use (may suppress bacterial growth)
- Anti-diarrhoeal medicines, laxatives, or enemas taken before collection
- Use of barium or bismuth within 7 to 10 days before the test
- Contamination of the sample with urine or water
- Delayed delivery of the sample to the laboratory
Understanding Your Stool Culture and Sensitivity Test Results
Results from a Stool Culture and Sensitivity test are typically reported as negative or positive. Always review your results with your doctor, who will consider your full health history alongside the laboratory findings.
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Negative (No growth) | No harmful bacteria detected. Normal gut bacteria may be present. |
| Positive (Growth detected) | Harmful bacteria identified. Report will include the type of bacteria and antibiotic sensitivity pattern. |
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 may influence how results are interpreted:
- Recent antibiotic use can produce a false-negative result, as the antibiotics may have already reduced bacterial levels below detectable limits.
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics can also disrupt the natural balance of gut bacteria, allowing resistant bacteria to grow and potentially affecting culture results.
- Children, older adults, and those with reduced immunity are at higher risk for certain infections (such as Yersinia) and may require additional or specialised testing.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
Good hygiene and safe food habits are the most effective ways to reduce the risk of bacterial gut infections:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before eating and after using the toilet.
- Ensure meat, eggs, and poultry are cooked to appropriate temperatures and stored safely.
- Avoid consuming untreated water or food from unhygienic sources, particularly when travelling.
Lupin Diagnostics Stool Culture and Sensitivity Test Price and Home Collection
The Stool Culture and Sensitivity test is available at Lupin Diagnostics starting at ₹750, with prices varying by city. Home sample collection is available, making it convenient to get tested from the comfort of your home.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | ₹850 |
| Hyderabad | ₹750 |
| Chennai | ₹790 |
| Bengaluru | ₹825 |
| Kolkata | ₹815 |
| Pune | ₹850 |
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 home collection for the Stool C/S test near me across multiple cities, so you do not need to visit a centre. Your sample is collected by a trained professional and processed in NABL-accredited laboratories. Digital reports are delivered to your email or WhatsApp once ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Stool Culture and Sensitivity test detects harmful bacteria causing infections in the digestive tract, such as those responsible for food poisoning or severe diarrhoea. It also identifies which antibiotics can effectively treat the infection, helping your doctor choose the right course of action.
Results are typically available within 2 to 3 working days after sample collection. If no bacteria grow, the final negative report may take up to 5 days, as the laboratory needs to confirm the absence of growth over an adequate incubation period.
Taking antibiotics before sample collection can affect the accuracy of your result, as they may suppress bacterial growth and lead to a false-negative finding. Inform your doctor about all medicines you are currently taking, including antibiotics, laxatives, and anti-diarrhoeal drugs, before the test.
This test carries no physical risk. You simply collect a stool sample at home following the instructions provided. There are no injections, instruments, or invasive procedures involved.
The Stool C/S test near me is designed to detect common bacterial pathogens and does not detect viruses or most parasites. If your doctor suspects a parasitic or viral infection, separate tests such as an Ova and Parasites examination may be ordered alongside this one.
Ideally, the sample should reach the laboratory within two hours of collection. If that is not possible, transfer it into a preservative vial provided by the lab and deliver it as soon as possible. Avoid leaving the sample at room temperature for extended periods, as this can affect the culture result.
It is possible to become re-infected, particularly if you are exposed again to unhygienic food, water, or environments. You may develop some short-term immunity to the specific bacterial strain that caused your illness, but other strains or species of bacteria can still cause a new infection. Practising good hygiene and food safety habits significantly reduces this risk.
Stool Culture and Sensitivity Test: Booking, Price, and Results
