blood culture

blood culture A test that is designed to detect microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, in blood. A sample of blood obtained using a sterile technique is placed in a culture medium and incubated in a controlled environment. If microorganisms grow, their type can be identified, and they can be tested against different antibiotics for proper treatment of the infection. Because microorganisms may be only intermittently present in blood, a series of blood cultures is often done before the result is considered negative. See also bacteremia; sepsis; septicemia.