Sample collection varies based on the suspected infection. For throat infections, a swab is taken from the tonsils and cultured on a blood agar plate. Urine samples are often cultured on MacConkey agar to detect urinary pathogens. The plates are then incubated under specific conditions to promote bacterial growth. After incubation, colonies are examined for characteristics such as color, size, and hemolysis patterns, aiding in the identification of the pathogen.
