Alternative Names for Wound Culture and Sensitivity
A wound culture and sensitivity test is also commonly referred to as a "wound culture with antimicrobial susceptibility testing" or simply "wound culture with sensitivities." 1
Standard Terminology
The test encompasses two distinct components that are typically ordered together:
- Culture component: Identifies the specific microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) present in the wound 1
- Sensitivity/susceptibility component: Determines which antibiotics are effective against the identified organisms 1
Clinical Ordering Terminology
When ordering this test, clinicians may use several equivalent terms:
- "Aerobic and anaerobic culture with antimicrobial sensitivity testing" - This is the most complete and precise terminology 1
- "Wound culture and antibiogram" - The antibiogram refers to the susceptibility pattern 1
- "Bacterial culture with susceptibility" - Emphasizes the bacterial identification and drug testing components 1
Important Specification Requirements
The Infectious Diseases Society of America explicitly recommends NOT using the label "wound" alone - you must be specific about the body site and type of wound (e.g., "human bite wound, knuckle" or "diabetic foot ulcer") 2
Quantitative vs. Qualitative Cultures
For certain wound types, particularly burn wounds and chronic wounds, the test may be specified as:
- "Quantitative wound culture" - Measures the bacterial load (colony-forming units per gram of tissue) 2, 3
- This is distinct from standard qualitative cultures and must be specifically requested, as not all laboratories offer this service 2, 3
Key Clinical Caveat
When ordering, you should request both aerobic AND anaerobic cultures with sensitivity testing, as wound infections are often polymicrobial and may involve anaerobic organisms 1