A urine culture is an analysis that can identify the presence of bacteria in the urine. This test can find and determine the pathogens that cause a urinary tract infection (UTI). Bacteria is the primary cause of UTI entering the urinary tract via the urethra, where these bacteria grow rapidly and lead to an infection. UTIs are more common in females than males, as the urethra is shorter in women and closer to the anus. Also, it’s easier for bacteria from the intestines to enter the urinary tract. The urethra is the entry point of bacteria into the bladder, ureters and kidneys, where they can develop into an infection.
Read this article to know the purpose, need, and what urine culture test results mean.
Purpose of Urine Culture Test?
A urine culture test is needed when a person suffers from recurring episodes of UTIs. Those individuals who experience symptoms would benefit from getting a urine culture test.
Who Needs A Urine Culture Test?
A urine culture test helps to identify the type of pathogens causing a UTI. Your healthcare provider may recommend getting a urine culture test if you exhibit the following symptoms:
- Painful urination
- Frequent urge to urinate but unable to empty the bladder fully
- Getting sick often
- Abdominal pain for no obvious reason.
- Urinalysis results show a high count of white blood cells
- Just recovered from a UTI and the physician needs to check whether there is a possibility of recurrence
Also Read: UTI In Children: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
Procedure
The steps that need to be followed for urine sample collection:
Wash your genital region and the surrounding area well to eliminate any chances of contamination, before collecting the sample.
Wash your hands well.
Urinate until the bladder is empty and when you’re about to finish, collect a few drops into a sterile container given by the lab. Ensure that your skin doesn’t contact the inside of the container.
For a person who needs a catheter, a thin, flexible tube is inserted into the bladder by the healthcare provider to collect the sample, which is then transferred into a clean container to collect the urine.
Preparation
Patients will be informed to hold urine for at least an hour before the test or drink water 15 -20 minutes before the sample collection. This increases the chance of collecting adequate urine for the rest. At times it is suggested that a patient save the first pee they pass in the morning, as it contains the maximum amount of pathogens. Restrict taking any antibiotics courses before getting the urine culture test as it may impede the results. Also, inform your healthcare provider if you had recently taken any antibiotics.
Also Read: 24-Hour Urine Protein Test: What Is It, Purpose, Benefits And Results
Results
The result of a urine culture test is available in about 2-3 days after giving the sample. If your result is positive, then your physician may prescribe an antibiotic to help eradicate the harmful pathogens. At times, there may be more than one kind of bacteria or a very minute bacterial growth. In such situations, the result will be delayed, or the person may need to repeat the test.
Intestinal E.coli bacteria are the common cause of UTI and culture may contain several bacterial species or a very low number of germs.
Positive: This means the presence of abnormal levels of bacteria, yeast, or microbes in a culture, which further indicates that there is a high chance of a patient suffering from UTI.
Negative: This means there is no evidence of any bacterial growth or infection. However, your physician may recommend further tests to confirm the diagnosis. Kidney function tests and urine routine tests are examples of typical diagnostic analyses.
