Microflora culture with antibiotic and antifungal sensitivity determination (breast milk)
"Detects bacteria or fungi in breast milk, determines species and antibiotic/antifungal sensitivity. Confirms or excludes infection in inflammatory breast diseases and helps select effective treatment.
Deviation mechanism: During breast inflammation, bacteria or fungi may proliferate in milk → cultured on nutrient media → species and drug sensitivity determined.
Recommended for: nursing women with mastitis signs; recurrent breast inflammations; suspected bacterial breast milk contamination."
Breast milk from each mammary gland in separate sterile containers
Wash hands thoroughly before expressing
Clean nipple and areola with boiled water or antiseptic and dry with sterile wipe
Express and discard first few milliliters
Then express 5-10 mL into sterile container
Collect each breast in separate container
Deliver to laboratory within 2 hours
Breast pain, induration, redness; suspected mastitis or lactostasis; fever in nursing woman; purulent nipple discharge; frequent infections in breastfed infant.
Pathogenic organism growth — confirms infectious process; drug sensitivity listed.
Opportunistic flora in small amount — may be normal variant.
No growth — infection not detected.
Physician makes final assessment considering clinical picture.
Note: Sensitivity testing only when clinically significant organism detected.
Recommended physicians: Mammologist or Gynecologist (breast pain/inflammation); General Practitioner/Gynecologist (fever); Gynecologist or lactation consultant (breastfeeding problems).
