Laboratory Studies
- Obtain bacterial Gram stain and culture from the suspected site of infection.
- In a patient who requires hospitalization for suspected infection or in whom a bloodstream infection is suspected, obtain two sets of blood cultures from different sites.
- Obtain urinalysis/urine culture in patients with suspected urinary tract infection. The presence of white cells or leukocyte esterase may help to distinguish urinary tract colonization from infection.
- CBC count is used to monitor for leukocytosis or a left shift, which indicates infection. A chemistry panel is used to monitor renal function and complications or toxicities associated with antibiotics.
- Once an organism has been identified, susceptibility testing is extremely important to narrow therapy.
Imaging Studies
- Obtain a chest radiograph to exclude pneumonia in suggestive cases.
- Renal ultrasonography is used to assess for urinary tract obstruction or hydronephrosis in patients with recurrent cystitis.
Other Tests
- In persons returning from overseas travel with diarrheal symptoms of unclear etiology, stool may be cultured for Providencia species.
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