Culture of duodenal tissue biopsy

Alternative names:

duodenal contents - culture

Normal values:

The duodenal contents usually contain a small amount of a special type of white blood cells and epithelial cells (surface cells) with nothing in them to cause infection. The bacterial count is usually less than 100,000.

What abnormal results mean:

If the bacterial count is high, microorganisms are present that cause infection. High numbers of the special white blood cells (polymorphonuclear leukocytes), an abundance of mucous debris, and bile-stained epithelial (surface) cells in the bile fluid could indicate an inflammation of the biliary tract. Other elevated counts may suggest inflammation of the pancreas, the duodenum, or the bile ducts.