Culture and Sensitivity - Ear Swab (Right) Test

The Culture and Sensitivity Ear Swab is a test that is performed on a sample of swab taken from the ear. The test helps in determining and measuring the level of Culture of the pathogenic organism in the ear swab. The test helps to detect ear infection and also during an after the treatment of Ear Infection. Your doctor may ask you to undergo the test if your ear infection is not healing or getting better with treatment, you have an infection in your outer ear canal, or if you have an ear infection with drainage or ruptured eardrum.

You do not need to prepare specifically for the test. You have to make sure that you have gathered all the information from your doctor and are well aware of the process and the medications. Apart from this, your doctor would also like to know the medicines or supplements you take as certain medications can affect the test. You must also let your doctor know if you have had any surgeries recently.

After studying the sample, the test results are given. If the results are normal, it means that there is no growth of fungi, bacteria and viruses on the culture and that you do not have an ear infection. An abnormal result means that there are signs of ear infection, which may be caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses. Your doctor, as per the test results, will advise you with the best course of treatment.

For the test, your doctor will need a sample of your ear drainage. To get the sample, your doctor will use a cotton swab and collect the sample from inside the outer ear canal. Sometimes, the sample is taken from the middle part of the ear during ear surgery. The sample is then sent to the lab where it is kept in a dish and analysed. The sample is checked everyday to see if there are any growth of fungi, bacteria, or viruses.