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What Is a Urine Culture Test—and Why It Matters

What Is a Urine Culture Test—and Why It Matters

By xactvision

What Is a Urine Culture Test—and Why It Matters

A urine culture test is a lab procedure that provides the identification of bacterial or fungal pathogens in the urinary tract.  In addition to the confirmation of an infection—a urine culture test should also provide the identification of the pathogen(s) and, helps determine which antibiotics will provide the best treatment.  A urine culture test is a helpful and important tool for personalized treatment.  
Medical Context
  Bacteriuria: bacteria in the urine. UTI is commonly defined by ureteric infection, and other alternative symptoms, burning sensation in the urine discharge, urinary urgency, and cloudy urine. Asymptomatic bacteriuria: it contains bacteria but cannot be traced by its symptoms. The asymptomatic bacteriuria patients are not uncommon among the elderly, pregnant women and catheter patients. The treatment will depend on the risk factors that the patient is exposed to.

When and For Whom Is It Recommended

A urine culture is usually ordered under the following conditions:
  1. The presence of classic UTI symptoms—burning, frequency, pain, fever.
  2. The urinalysis is inconclusive (e.g., infection present but no organism seen).
  3. The presence of recurrent UTIs; contributing to more specific antibiotic regimens.
  4. The presence of high-risk groups that might include, but are not limited to pregnant women (prevent complications), diabetics, chronically ill, and catheter related patients.

Step-by-Step: The Process

1. Sample Collection.
The preferred urine sample collection is a midstream "clean-catch" sample for urine collection in which the external genitalia is cleaned, urination is started, and then the urine is collected.
2. The Laboratory Culturing Process
The laboratory will place the sample on grow media and wait for 24–48 hours for colonies to grow. The total numbers of colony-forming unit (CFUs) is clinically relevant; anything greater than  or equal to 10⁵ CFU/mL is usually suggestive of true infection.
3. Identification and Sensitivity Testing.
Once the lab is satisfied that they can confirm the bacterium/fungus is present, the selected sensitivity tests will help to decide what the best treatment will be. This also assists in curbing the antibiotic resistance because the same medication is not prescribed to treat unneeded cases.

Key Benefits

  • Accurate Diagnosis: Culture identifies pathogen and load, more than just symptom measurement or dip sticks.
  •  Narrowed Treatment: Sensitivity tells us what antibiotic to use, and we minimize unnecessary drug exposure and resistance.
  • Work Outside of Trial and Error: Rather than keep giving antibiotics for old or complicated infections, we do not need to remain in the guess for antibiotic therapy.
Low Risks and Prep Instructions
Overall low risk—could be mild discomfort during sample collection or catheterization. If tissues are not destroyed, contamination or very unlikely, mild infection could result from improper or careless collection of data. Instructions for prep:
  1. Clean the external genital area with soap and warm water.
  2. The sample should be midstream.
  3. Drink normal amounts of fluid unless your physician tells you otherwise.
  4. Do not take certain antibiotics or urinary disinfectants prior to specimen collection (follow your physician’s instructions for a proper diagnosis).

Interpreting Results

A standard lab report will have three sections:
  1. 1.Organism identification: e.g., Escherichia coli-- the most prevalent alone of the pathogens related to UTI.
  2. CFU: a high CFU indicates that a patient is currently infected; low CFU may imply contamination or a harmless organism in the urine.
  3. Antibiotic susceptibility: provides a list of antibiotics as "Sensitive," "Intermediate," or "Resistant" to help build your treatment approach.
Additional Diagnostic Function
  • Verifies the existence of the asymptomatic bacteriuria in a pregnant woman to prevent complications before pregnancy.
  • Helps manage the complex UTIs (e.g., kidney infection, prostatitis and catheter-related).
  • Investigates uncharacteristic pathogens, i.e., yeast in recurrent/ non-responding conditions.

Takeaway: Smart Health Starts with Smart Testing

Do not settle for a routine urine culture when you can have accuracy, the right approach and antibiotic stewardship. Stop leaving your health to chance! With Xactvision Diagnostics you can book a Urine Culture Test in Gurugram and get precise diagnosis with quick results.
  • NABL-Certified Lab
  •  Expert Consultation
  • Convenient Sample Collection
Call Now or Visit Us for Your Urine Culture Test Timely detection. Correct treatment. Speedy recovery with Xact Vision.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When is the urine culture test done?
Urine culture test refers to the test conducted to identify and detect bacteria or fungi present in your urine that could be the reason for causing a urinary tract infection (UTI). It assists physicians to identify the most efficient treatment.
2. What is the collection process of urine samples in this test?
You will be requested to do a midstream clean-catch urine sample. This is to refer to washing the genital part first, starting their urine and then taking the sample in the middle of the detachment so that it is not contaminated.
3. What is the duration of the outcome?
The results will normally take 24 to 48 hours so that the sample can have time to promote any microbe present. Sensitivity testing of antibiotics can be slightly prolonged in other instances.
4. Am I allowed to have the test when on antibiotics?
Ideally, not because there are also possibilities that the growth of bacteria could be suppressed by antibiotics giving false-negative results. Talk to your doctor every time--especially when you have recently used antibiotics, your doctor might order that you delay your test.
5. Before the test, is there the need to fast?
No abstinence is needed. You are allowed to eat and drink as usual unless the doctor tells you otherwise.
6. What is the meaning of positive and negative results?
Positive outcome: Means that infection causing bacteria or yeast is present. This information will aid your doctor to prescribe appropriate antibiotics. Negative: No dominant bacteria was detected and it can be interpreted as absence of infection or, a false negative because the test was done early or or sample was collected in a wrong way.
7. Where can I get a reliable urine culture test in Gurugram?
Xactvision Diagnostics provides precise and correct urine culture testing in Gurugram with NABL certified labs, faster turn-around time, and special consultations.