A
throat culture is a laboratory
diagnostic test that evaluates for the presence of a bacterial or fungal infection in the throat. A
sample from the throat is collected by
swabbing the throat and placing the sample into a special cup (
culture) that allows infections to grow. If an organism grows, the culture is positive and the presence of an infection is confirmed. The type of infection is found using a
microscope, chemical tests, or both. If no infection grows, the culture is negative. Common infectious organisms tested for by a throat culture include
Candida albicans known for causing
thrush and
Group A streptococcus known for causing
strep throat,
scarlet fever, and
rheumatic fever. Throat cultures are more
sensitive (81% sensitive) than the
rapid strep test (70%) for diagnosing strep throat, but are nearly equal in terms of specificity.