Culture of a swab from skin lesions

Dermal lesion smear examination

Dermatologic diseases, although in most casesr rarely cause conditionsr seriously threatening to life and health, can nevertheless significantlyr reduce its comfort. Young people in particular are more prone to their occurrence, when, as a result of hormonal changes occurring in the body, resulting in increased sebum (sebum) secretion, excessive keratinization of the epidermisr and clogging of the outlets of the hair flats are common. Genetic predisposition, stress and improper diet also have an impact on the formation of skinr changes. If treatment or lifestyle changes are introduced early enough, acne has a mild course.

However, in somecases, the composition of the physiological bacterial flora normally found on the skincan be so disturbed that there is an uncontrolled proliferation of microorganisms– mainly bacteria of the Propionibacterium acnes species. As a result of the weakening of the protective barrier of the skinry, it can also be colonized by pathogenic microorganisms from outside the body.

A number of coexisting diseasesb and conditionscan also promote the development of various skin lesions. These include, among others, superficial trauma; diabetes, in which inadequate blood supply to the lower extremities results in the existence of bacterially infected wounds; immune disorders, in which infections of the skin and mucous membranes are extremely extensive; inadequate levels of hygiene (such as. infrequent changing and cleaning of footwear), whichre causing the developmenty of fungal infections; prolonged immobilization in hospitalized people, in whomy can easily develop bedsores that succumb to iny infections.

Fungal infections can also occur

Also, any weakening of the body and scratching of the lesions during the course of an infectious (bacterial, viral) rash disease (especiallylly of childhood) can lead to their additional infection with bacteria, which significantly prolongs the healing process.

The following is an example of this

Culturing specimens taken from superficial lesions in the skinry can provide valuable information about the causes of the infection, which will translate into better treatment results and resolution of unpleasant symptoms.

When to perform a skin lesion smear culturery?

Cutaneous lesion smear culture is most often ordered by dermatologistsrs, as it allows to diagnose the presence of bacteria (aerobic or anaerobic) that are the cause of superficial skinr infections (in conditions such as acne, impetigo, diabetic or runner's foot, ulcers, sores, superinfections in the course of rashes). The test is performed from fresh lesions, and the material for it is taken with a sterile swab (applied to the site of the lesion, immersed in the secretion) or a scalpel (in the case of skin scrapingsr or taking its small fragmentsr by excision). Once the prb is taken, it is placed in a container with a special substance that promotes the developmentof bacteria (growth medium). Other media are used if a fungal infection is suspected.

In the case of the existence of deep lesions (involving subcutaneous tissue, acquired as a result of surgery or trauma), the examination can be supplemented additionally by culture of material taken from the wound (e.g., liquid content aspirated from the abscess with a syringe).

Who should perform a culture of a swab from a skin lesionr?

Persons with rr dermatological conditions located throughout the body:

• presence of inflammatory or non-inflammatory lesions – papules, pustules, nodulesw, cysts, ulcersw, vesiclesw, rashes, eczemaw, bruisesw
• severe greasiness or dryness and exfoliation of the skinry
• the presence of complicated lesions – slow-healing, unresponsive to treatment, leaving behind discoloration and scarring
• swelling, bl, redness, itching, warming of the lesion area, oozing of secretions, fluid, pus