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Urine Culture
What is Urine Culture?
A urine culture is a test to find germs (such as bacteria) in the urine that can cause an infection. Urine in the bladder is normally sterile. This means it does not contain any bacteria or other organisms (such as fungi). But bacteria can enter the urethra and cause a urinary tract infection (UTI).
A sample of urine is added to a substance that promotes the growth of germs. If no germs grow, the culture is negative. If germs grow, the culture is positive. The type of germ may be identified using a microscope or chemical tests. Sometimes other tests are done to find the right medicine for treating the infection. This is called sensitivity testing.
UTIs are more common in women and girls than in men. This may be partly because the female urethra is shorter and closer to the anus. This allows bacteria from the intestines to come into contact more easily with the urethra. Men also have an antibacterial substance in their prostate gland that lowers their risk.
Why It Is Done?
A urine culture may be done to:
Find the cause of a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Make decisions about the best treatment for a UTI. This is called sensitivity testing.
Find out if treatment for a UTI worked.
How To Prepare?
You do not need to do anything before you have this test. If you are taking or have recently taken antibiotics, tell your doctor.
You will need to collect a urine sample. Avoid urinating just before having this test.
Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean.
How It Is Done?
You may be asked to collect a clean-catch midstream urine sample for testing. The first urine of the day is best because bacterial levels will be higher.
How It Feels?
Collecting a urine sample is not painful.
Risks:
Collecting a urine sample does not cause problems.
Results:
A urine culture is a test to find germs (such as bacteria) in the urine that can cause an infection. Urine culture results are usually ready in 1 to 3 days. But some germs take longer to grow in the culture. So results may not be available for several days.
Urine culture
Normal:
No bacteria or other germs (such as fungi) grow in the culture. The culture result is negative.
Abnormal:
Organisms (usually bacteria) grow in the culture. The culture result is positive.
A count of 100,000 or more bacteria per milliliter (mL) of urine may be caused by an infection. A count ranging from 100 to 100,000 could be caused either by infection or by contamination of the sample. You may need to repeat the urine culture. If the count is 100 or less, infection is unlikely. But you may have a count of 100 or less if you are already taking antibiotics.
If test results are positive, sensitivity testing may be done to help make decisions about treatment.
What Affects the Test?
You may not be able to have the test, or the results may not be helpful, if:
You take antibiotics or have just finished taking them.
You take water pills (diuretics) or drink a large amount of liquid. This may dilute your urine and reduce the number of bacteria in the sample.
You take a lot of vitamin C
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