Urine culture and sensitivity
What is Urine culture and sensitivity?
The urine culture test is performed to grow and identify organisms, mainly bacteria and fungi that may cause a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). While in the bladder, urine is normally sterile and free from any organisms. Urinary tract infections are common in females and children than in adult males.
The antibiotic sensitivity or susceptibility test helps to select an appropriate antibiotic that is effective against specific types of bacteria or fungi causing any infection. This test needs to be conducted as some types of bacteria or fungi are resistant to certain antibiotics and infections, and they are not cured by treatment with those antibiotics.
What Is Urine Culture Test?
A Urine Culture test is basically a test done to figure out if there any types of germs in the Urine which could lead to infection. Urine, in itself, does not carry any germs, microorganisms or bacteria; but the bacteria generally enters the Urethra from the Urinary Tract and cause the infection which is commonly known as UTI, i.e. Urinary Tract Infection
The objective of the Urine culture test is to detect if there are any fungi or bacteria in the Urinary tract and provide suggestive medications to stop the growth on an immediate basis.
Why Do I Need Urine Culture Test?
A urine Culture test is usually suggested by a doctor, when you’ve experienced pain during urinating, less urine and also frequent urine symptoms. When this is prolonged for some time (maybe 3-4 days) and if the symptoms do not subside, the doctor would then suggest a Urine Culture and Sensitivity test to determine if there is an infection and to what extent.
In many cases, if the urine infection levels have increased, the person may also experience high fever and sudden chills in the body. This may go up to 5-6 days as well, if not detected and cured on time.
Urine culture and sensitivity is used to diagnose, and screen for diseases or medical conditions related to urinary tract infection for persons experiencing symptoms such as frequent and painful urination.
What Do My Test Results Mean?
If the Urine Culture test denotes “Positive”, it means that there a certain amount of bacteria or organisms that have been found in the Urine Sample and that the infection is certainly because of these bacteria.
The Culture report not only detects the various types of germs present but also shows its sensitivity to various Antibiotics. Which means you can gauge from this report itself that which antibiotics would provide maximum benefit.
The urine culture normal range is between 10,000 to 1,00,000 colonies/ml, but if it shoots above 1,00,000 colonies/pm; then it means that the Urine Infection is prevalent and some corrective actions need to be taken.
How Is Urine Culture Test Done?
The Urine Culture and Sensitivity test is done by collecting the Urine Sample in a clean sterilized hygienic bottle; preferably empty stomach early in the morning. First, the Urine Routine results are declared post 14-16 hours of the test being conducted. For the Urine Culture report, one has to wait for 48 – 72 hours for the report to be declared.
The Urine Sample is kept in the Laboratory for 2-3 days, and a lab worker will keep a close check on it. They would make a note of how many types of germs or bacteria are present in the urine sample and how many are growing. The test is termed Negative if there are no germs noticed in the urine sample.
If there is an indication of some germs growing, then that is a clear indication that the person has a UTI. E-Coli bacteria are the most common bacteria that cause UTI.
Post detection of the bacteria, they would then analyse further to check the urine sensitivity test, which means finding the antibiotics that can affect in this situation and cure the infection completely.