Urine Culture and Sensitivity
Urine – C/S
- This test is meant to measure the presence of infectious microorganisms in the urine sample
- No special preparation is required.
- This test would provide whether the sample is positive or sterile. If the sample is positive for bacterial growth then sensitivity test is done to find out the most suitable antibiotic to kill the bacteria.
What is Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test ?
Urine Culture test is done to diagnose the cause of Urinary Tract Infection. This test not only confirms the presence of UTI but also the most effective antibiotic to treat it. The first step in a Urine Culture test is to get a clean urine sample in a sterile bottle. You must thoroughly wash your hands with soap before touching the sterile bottle. You must also wash your vagina or penis with soap so that no bacteria present in that area enter the urine sample. Once the sample is properly taken, the laboratory will add bacterial growth promoting substances to the sample and keep it at 37 degree centigrade which is the body temperature for 24 to 48 hours to monitor any kind of bacterial growth. If there is no bacterial growth during this period then the report is negative or sterile. However if bacterial growth is seen then the report of the culture test is positive. For positive cases another test is done which is called the sensitivity test. In this test different antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria and the sensitivity of the bacteria to each antibiotic is given in the report. This helps your doctor to prescribe the right antibiotic for killing the bacteria that is causing UTI.
Reported Parameters
- Culture Report – Positive or Negative
- Sensitivity report if the culture report is positive.
All The Questions that you might have
- Why is Urine – Culture and Sensitivity test done ?
- What causes UTI ?
- What are the symptoms of UTI ?
- How is the Urine C/S Test Done ?
Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test is done to diagnose the cause of chronic UTI. Urinary Tract Infections normally start in the bladder and spread to kidneys, prostate or urethra. Most of the times the UTI will get cured by the medications prescribed by the doctor. However for chronic UTI or hard to treat UTI, your doctor may order Urine Culture test.
Women are more likely to have UTI as compared to men. The common reasons behind getting UTI are :
- Diabetes
- Sexual intercourse specially with different partners
- Kidney disease or kidney stones
- Residual urine in the bladder
- Low immunity
- Poor hygiene
- Use of public toilets
Your doctor will recommend you to take the Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test if you suffer from some specific symptoms. The common symptoms of UTI are :
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Frequent but insufficient urination
- Blood in the urine
- Cramps in the Lower Abdomen
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Chills
A clean urine sample is taken in a sterile bottle. Bacterial growth promoting reagents are added to the urine sample and kept in an incubator at 37 degree centigrade. Bacterial growth is monitored at 24 hours and 48 hours using a microscope. If bacterial growth is seen then sensitivity test is done to find out the most effective antibiotic for killing this type of bacteria. The negative report is given after 2 days but if the report is positive then the results are released after 3 days.
