Culture microscopy involves microscopically examining a cultured specimen to identify and quantify microorganisms present, often to determine their antibiotic sensitivity. It's a method used to analyze the growth of bacteria or other microbes from a culture, providing valuable information about the infection and guiding treatment decisions.
Here's a breakdown:
- Culture: A sample (e.g., urine, blood, tissue) is placed in a nutrient-rich environment to encourage the growth of any microorganisms present.
- Microscopy: Once the microorganisms have grown (cultured), a small amount of the culture is placed on a microscope slide and examined under a microscope.
Purpose of Culture Microscopy:
- Identification: To identify the type(s) of bacteria or yeast present in the culture.
- Quantification: To estimate the number of microorganisms present.
- Cellular Morphology: To observe the shape, size, and arrangement of the microorganisms, which aids in identification.
- Presence of other cells: To identify the presence and quantity of white blood cells (indicating infection) or red blood cells.
- Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing Guidance: While not directly determining antibiotic sensitivity, it helps inform which antibiotics should be tested against the cultured bacteria. Culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing are performed to determine the bacteria present and their sensitivity to various antibiotics.
Example:
If a urine sample is cultured and then examined under a microscope, the lab technician can identify the type of bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli) present, estimate the number of bacteria, and note the presence of white blood cells, all of which support a diagnosis of a urinary tract infection (UTI). This information, along with antibiotic sensitivity testing, guides the physician in choosing the most effective antibiotic to treat the UTI.
