PEA Test

Phenylethyl alcohol agar test aka PEA test is performed on a sample of blood to measure the level of Gram Positive Organism in the blood. It is performed to confirm Bacterial Infection and also during the treatment and after the treatment of Bacterial Infection.PEA is a selective medium used to cultivate Gram positive organisms. The active ingredient, Phenylethyl alcohol, inhibits or markedly reduces growth of Gram negative organisms by interfering with DNA synthesis.

No specific preparation is necessary for this test. In case of exceptional cases, doctor will provide a proper guide for the preparation. Being a blood test, the patient is recommended to wear a sleeveless top/shirt or a loose top/shirt whose sleeves can be easily rolled up and is not an issue of concern.

About 1-4 milliliters of blood is directly drawn from the patient’s body. An alcohol pad is rubbed against the skin. The blood is drawn from the rinsed area mostly from where the blood vein is visible. The blood is then collected in a container and sent to the lab for examination. PEA is done using culture method on the blood sample. During this procedure, blood sample is inoculated into the culture media.