A throat culture is a test to detect and identify bacteria (or fungus) that may be infecting the throat. It is performed in the following manner: a sample of material swabbed from the throat is placed in a container with substances that promote the growth of bacteria (or fungus). If organisms that can cause infection (called pathogenic organisms) grow, the culture is positive. The type of organism will be identified with a microscope, chemical tests, or both. If no organisms grow, the culture is negative.

Examples of disease-causing bacteria that may be found during a throat culture include group A streptococcus (which can cause strep throat, scarlet fever, and rheumatic fever) and Neisseria meningitidis (which can cause meningitis). The fungus Candida albicans (which causes thrush) can also infect the throat. 

If organisms that can cause disease grow in the culture, other tests may be done to determine which antibiotic will be most effective in treating the infection. This is called susceptibility or sensitivity testing.

This test is done on material that is collected from the throat using a clean swab.

Throat Culture
Results

Test results usually take 1 to 2 days, depending on which bacteria are being tested for. Test results for a fungus may take much longer (up to 7 days).