Skin or mucosal biopsy culture

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Mucosal biopsy

Skin or mucosal biopsy culture is a laboratory test to isolate and identify organisms that cause infection. The test is performed on a sample obtained from the skin or mucous membranes.

Culture - skin or mucosal biopsy

The skin or mucous-membrane sample can be taken in three ways: a shave biopsy (scraping or shaving a thin layer), a punch biopsy (using a needle or punch to obtain a small, but deeper, sample), or an excision of tissue (cutting to remove a piece of tissue).

A small piece of skin or mucous membrane is obtained and placed in culture media in the laboratory. It is observed for the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungus. When growth is observed, the microorganisms can be identified and classified.

The preparation is the same as for a skin biopsy. See also Gum biopsy.

You will be given local anesthesia to numb the site before the biopsy is done, but you may still feel some pain or discomfort.

The test may be performed as part of the diagnosis of acute or chronic infections of the skin or mucous membranes.

Review Date: 02/10/2006
Reviewed By: Kenneth Wener, M.D., Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.