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Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity)

Also known as Urine culture test

₹630~~₹700~~ 10% Off

This test is for

Male, Female

Test Preparation

If you are on any antibiotic(s), please provide clinical history, prescription, and/or specify the name of the antibiotic(s) as it may affect your test results.

Understanding Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity)

What is Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity)?

A Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) test helps detect harmful yeast or bacteria in the urine that may be causing a urinary tract infection (UTI). Additionally, this sensitivity test helps identify the antibiotics most effective against those particular bacteria. It is also used to determine if there is resistance to any antibiotics.

Urine is the body’s liquid waste made when the kidneys filter out toxins from the blood. It comprises water, salt, electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, and some chemicals. The pathway followed by urine from the kidneys to the outside is called the urinary tract. Sometimes, some microorganisms causing a UTI may infect the urinary tract.

A Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) test is usually done when you experience symptoms of UTI, such as back pain, painful or frequent urination, blood in the urine, etc., for approximately. 3-4 days and do not subside. This test helps to identify infection-causing microorganisms. If the results are positive, the sensitivity test helps determine which drugs will likely be most effective for treating your infection. On the other hand, a negative urine culture indicates no signs of microbial infection; hence, it will not show sensitivity to various antibiotics.

Before your test, make sure to drink enough water to be able to submit a urine sample for testing. The doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medications like antibiotics and supplements before a Urine C/S test as they may affect your test results. A mid-stream urine sample should be collected into a sterile container provided by the sample collection professional. Women are advised not to give the sample during the menstrual period unless prescribed, as that can interfere with specific test results.

Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help the doctor correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The test results will help them determine your medical condition and formulate your treatment plan.

What is Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) used for?

A Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) test can be done:

If you have symptoms of UTI, such as frequent or painful urination, blood in urine, or other urinary problems.
As part of routine medical checkups.
As part of a pregnancy checkup.

What does Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) measure?

A Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) test helps identify the bacteria or yeast causing UTI; the most common bacteria responsible for UTI is E.coli. Once the pathogen (harmful microorganism) is specified, the antibiotic susceptibility test is done to formulate a treatment plan for the infection.

Interpreting Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) results

Interpretations

Negative result: No colonies to less than 1,00,000 CFU/ml (Colony Forming Units)

Positive result:

· Usually more than 1,00,000 CFU/ml

· Patient undergoing antibiotic treatment: More than 1,000 CFU/ml

· For gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus: Single colony

The negative result indicates no infection of the urinary tract.

The positive result indicates an infection of the urinary tract. An antibiotic susceptibility test accompanies the positive result.

Only a single colony type is found in an uncontaminated sample, indicating a clinically significant positive result. However, if multiple colonies of different types are found, sample contamination is indicated, and the sample may need to be collected again.

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity)

Frequently Asked Questions about Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity)

Q. What are the common UTI-causing microorganisms?

Common microorganisms that may cause a UTI are Escherichia coli (E.coli), Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Acinetobacter spp., Streptococcus agalactiae, and Candida spp.

Q. What additional tests can be performed by the doctor in case of abnormal urine culture results?

Additional tests that may be performed are urinalysis, a blood test to detect advanced infections, imaging tests to detect blockages in the UTI, and kidney function tests.

Q. What is the difference between sensitive and resistant in urine culture?

Sensitive means the microorganism in the urine can't grow in the presence of a particular antibiotic, or the antibiotic is effective against the microorganism. Resistant means the microorganism can grow even if the antibiotic is present. This is a sign of an ineffective antibiotic.

Q. What is the difference between a Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) test and urine routine and microscopy test?

A Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) test can identify the microorganisms responsible for UTI, whereas a urine routine and microscopy test is the examination of urine’s appearance, concentration, and content.

Q. Can a Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) test detect sexually transmitted diseases?

No, this test cannot detect sexually transmitted diseases.

Q. What can affect the results of a urine culture and sensitivity test?

Urine culture and sensitivity tests can be affected if the patient recently took antibiotics before the sample collection. It may also be affected if the urine sample is not collected properly.

Q. What are the common symptoms of UTI?

Common symptoms of UTI include frequent urination, burning sensation while urinating, clouded or strong smelly urine, fever, and chills, back pain, blood in urine, etc.

Q. How is urine culture test performed?

The test is performed on the urine sample. It is essential to prevent contamination of the sample with microorganisms naturally present on the skin. To ensure this, women should spread the labia (outer lips of the vagina) while men should retract or pull back the foreskin (fold of skin covering the glans or head of the penis) when collecting the sample. Start urinating normally and let some urine flow before collecting 20 to 30 ml of urine in the sterilized container provided by the phlebotomist. After collecting the sample, finish urinating into the toilet or urinal.

Q. Is there any risk associated with urine culture test?

There is no risk associated with the urine culture test.

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