Bone marrow culture

Alternative names:

culture - bone marrow

How the test is performed:

A sample of bone marrow is placed on culture media in containers for the purpose of growing microorganisms (bacteria, fungus, or viruses) in the laboratory. Microorganism that grow will later be identified under the microscope. The microbiologist in the laboratory inspects the cultures daily for growth of organisms. If microorganisms are detected, other tests may be performed to determine which drugs will kill the organisms. Definitive antimicrobial therapy can then be initiated based on these results.

How to prepare for the test:

A bone marrow aspiration or biopsy is necessary to collect the specimen for the culture. This procedure is performed by a physician, sometimes a hematologist (blood specialist).

Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:

• infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
• toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
• preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
• schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
• adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

How the test will feel:

The specimen is collected from the back of the pelvic bone or from the sternum. The area is cleansed with antibacterial soap. The skin over the bone will be numbed with an anesthetic (a bee-sting sensation). Then a larger needle will be inserted through the skin into the bone and pushed into the cavity of the bone that contains the marrow. A sample of bone marrow is aspirated into a syringe for analysis. Pressure and pain occur with this procedure. Soreness at the site may last 1 week or more.

If a bone marrow biopsy is also performed, a larger hollow-core needle is inserted, and a core sample of bone marrow is removed. A portion of the sample can be examined (biopsy sample) and another portion can be sent for culture. A bone marrow biopsy causes feelings of pressure and/or pain. The pain is minimized with anesthesia of the bone (local anesthetic injected near the bone).

Why the test is performed:

The test is performed when infection of the bone marrow, unexplained fever, or other diseases of the bone marrow are suspected.