To determine what bacteria are present in a specimen, a culture of it is taken and grown in a microbiology lab. Once the identity of the organism(s) is determined, samples are then tested against numerous antibiotics to determine to which it is sensitive to which it is resistant. This is called a culture and sensitivity [C&S] report. This allows the treating physician to determine which antibiotic(s) to use based on C&S results. Once a culture is taken a patient is treated with antibiotics empirically, meaning that based on presumptions about the likely bacteria, the physician will start antibiotics rather than allow the infection to progress for the many days required for the C&S results.
Culture & sensitivity reports medical expert witness specialties include infectious disease, pediatric infectious disease, microbiology, laboratory medicine, and emergency medicine.