A laboratory test where a sample of blood is grown in a special medium to detect and identify bacteria or other microorganisms causing an infection.
From Greek 'haima' (blood) + Latin 'cultura' (cultivation). The term developed in microbiology as a standard diagnostic technique, particularly to identify bloodstream infections like sepsis.
Blood cultures are how doctors catch deadly infections before they become septic—the procedure works by letting any hidden bacteria in your blood multiply in a petri dish so they become visible and identifiable within hours or days.
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