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Culture - endocervix - Results

Alternative Names

Vaginal culture; Female genital tract culture; Culture - cervix; Endocervical culture

Normal Values:

Organisms that are usually present in the vagina are there in the expected amounts.

What abnormal results mean:

Abnormal results indicate the presence of an infection in the female genital tract.

Culture can detect:

C. trachomatis
Chlamydia
E. coli
Gonorrhea
Herpes simplex

Other conditions under which the test may be done:

Chlamydia
Chronic urethritis
Gonococcemia (disseminated)
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Female reproductive anatomy

Uterus

Reviewed last on: 11/12/2007
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Eckert LO, Lentz GM. Infections of the lower genital tract: vulva, vagina, cervix, toxic shock syndrome, HIV infections. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 22.

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