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</div><div><span>Rectal culture</span></div></div>
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</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>Rectal culture is a lab test to identify bacteria and other germs in the rectum that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.</p></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>How the Test is Performed</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>A cotton swab is placed into the rectum. The swab is rotated gently, and removed. </p><p>A smear of the swab is placed in culture media to encourage the growth of bacteria and other organisms. The culture is watched for growth.</p><p>The organisms can be identified when growth is seen. <a test="test" href="./003741.htm">More tests</a> may be done to determine the best treatment. </p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>How to Prepare for the Test</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>The health care provider does a rectal exam and collects the specimen.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>How the Test will Feel</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>There may be pressure as the swab is inserted into the rectum. The test is not painful in most cases. </p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Why the Test is Performed</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>The test is done if your provider suspects that you have an infection of the rectum, such as <a test="test" href="./007267.htm">gonorrhea</a> or chlamydia. It may also be done instead of a <a test="test" href="./003758.htm">fecal culture</a> if it is not possible to get a specimen of feces.</p><p>The rectal culture may also be performed in a hospital or nursing home setting. This test shows if someone carries vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) in their intestine. This germ can be spread to other patients.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Normal Results</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>Finding bacteria and other germs that are commonly found in the body is normal.</p><p>Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different labs. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>What Abnormal Results Mean</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>Abnormal results may mean you have an infection. This may include:</p><ul><li>Bacterial infection</li><li>Parasitic enterocolitis</li><li> Gonorrhea</li></ul><p>Sometimes a culture shows that you are a carrier, but you may not have an infection.</p><p>A related condition is <a test="test" href="./001139.htm">proctitis</a>.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Risks</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-7" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-7"><p>There are no risks.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>Culture - rectal</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/9811t.jpg" alt="Rectal culture" title="Rectal culture" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/9811.htm">Rectal culture</a></li>
</ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>References</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Ref" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>Batteiger BE, Tan M. <em>Chlamydia trachomatis</em> (trachoma and urogenital infections). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. <em>Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases</em>. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 180.</p><p>Marrazzo JM, Apicella MA. <em>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</em> (Gonorrhea). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. <em>Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases</em>. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 212.</p><p>Melia JMP, Sears CL. Infectious enteritis and proctocolitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. <em>Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease</em>. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 110.</p></div></div></section>
<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 6/11/2024</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Aria - Jefferson Health Torresdale, Jefferson Digestive Diseases Network, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. </p>
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<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/gonorrhea.html">Gonorrhea</a></li>
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