Bronchial Wash Culture-Provincial
Discipline
Microbiology
Overview
Description
- Bronchial wash culture is used to isolate potential respiratory pathogens and can be useful in the diagnosis of respiratory tract infection.
Ordering Recommendations
- Specimens may be collected from patients with signs and symptoms of respiratory tract infection.
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
- Bronchial Wash Specimen
Specimen collection container
- Sterile Screw Capped Container
Collection procedure
- During bronchoscopy, wash bronchus with sterile, normal saline (or other physiologic solution). Collect washing fluid into sterile screw-capped container.
Transport and stability
Transport at room temperature, as soon as possible. If delay is anticipated, keep specimen at 4°C.
Testing Information
Relevant clinical history
Patient History
- Underlying diagnosis and history of past/current antimicrobial therapy
Performance
Methodology
- Gram stain and quantitative culture for aerobic bacteria and yeast is performed routinely.
Days/times performed
- Specimens will be cultured at the nearest microbiology laboratory.
Maximum laboratory time
Cultures are incubated for 48 hours.
Reports of no/non-significant growth are sent at 24 and 48 hours, if applicable.
Identification and susceptibility results are usually available 24 – 48 hours after an organism is isolated.
Specimen retention time
- Specimens retained for 7 days after culturing.
Other information
- NOTE: Bronchial washings submitted from the same patient, from the same procedure are pooled for routine microbiologic processing.
Last Updated: November 14, 2025