What is the definition or description of: tracheal aspirate culture positive?

Infection: During a test called a bronchoscope where a very small scope is placed into the trachea (windpipe) and into each lung, fluid is sucked out of the trachea (aspirate). This fluid is smeared on special growth material. If there is bacteria in the fluid it will grow on the plate. This is culture positive. It then helps us pick the right antibiotic.

Microbials present: Means that the contents of the windpipe grew out organisms.

Culture: Tracheal aspirate = something suctioned out of the trachea (wind pipe). Culture - attempting to grow something, usually bacteria when not otherwise specified so "tracheal aspirate culture positive" means that they were able to grow something from the fluid/mucus suctioned out of the trachea. This is sometimes used as part of the diagnosis of pneumonia although it is not adequate on its own.