Urine Culture

Urine culture test is an examination of the urine that aims at isolating and determining bacterial or fungal infections in the urinary tract. It is fundamental in diagnosing the cause of the urinary tract infection in order to institute the right treatment. Additionally, it is important for those people who complain of having urinary tract infections or symptoms like the urge to urinate frequently, painful urination, or urine that is dark, cloudy, or has a strong odor. Determining the bacterial strain allows practitioners to administer the best fitting antibiotics or anti-fungal drugs. 

The urine culture test assesses the load and distribution of microorganisms, most commonly bacteria or yeast, in the urine. The aim of the test is to detect invasiveness of the any organisms and even consider whether the organism is in an active form. In particular, it quantifies the level of bacterial growth expressed in colony-forming units (CFUs) that exceed above the normal flora of the urinary tract, and this involves significant risk of infection. 

This test is usually done on the recommended on the basis of patients who have been diagnosed to have symptoms of a urinary tract infection which includes dysuria, frequency, back pain, color and turbid urine, or the need to void frequently, but to no avail. It may equally come to note in the course of pregnancy, in the course of pre-operative evaluation, during the timing of reinfection, or in case of unresponsive infections. 

Since the procedure only involves the collection of urine, the risks involved in the urine culture test are minimal. However, potential limitations include contamination from skin flora or improper sample collection can lead to false positives, making accurate diagnosis difficult. Bacterial counts in the urine are very low or the sample is collected late after antibiotic treatment, and negative results may also be obtained. 

Urine culture test parameters include presence of organism species such as colon bacilli or even candida species, numbers of colony forming units (cfus) and antibiotic susceptibility tests. These parameters help to assess the extent of infection and its adequacy for further guidance treatment. 

This test should also be considered by women, patients with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI), individuals seeking prevention for underlying urinary tract abnormalities or abuse in a pregnant woman In addition, such individuals are advised to look out for signs of UTI diagnosis, such as habitual and painful malodorous urine along with lower belly pain including pregnancy. 

In any event, urine culture tests are beneficial for clear and effective recognition of urinary tract infections and thus assists in administering appropriate treatment for the patients which in turn helps in minimizing any untoward events during the situation. This encourages early decision making and returns commensurate with investment with other factors such as kidney infection also, protection from severe events such as prescribing antibiotics or antifungal potency when required. 

The urine culture test is primary designed for UTIs which include cystitis, pyelonephritis and urethritis to mention a few cases. There are infections that may also be caused by normal microorganisms such as during infection with E. coli, Proteus mirabilis Klebsiella pneumoniae or even fungal infections that may be T candida. 

Prerequisites: Patients are almost always instructed to provide a middle of the stream urine sample so as to avoid any chances of contamination. 

Eligibility: Individuals having any history of urinary tract infection, persistent infection, or even a little susceptibility to such infections can go for the test. 

Procedure For Taking The Test: Patients are required to wash hands, clean genitals and urinate into the bowl for a few seconds. For ensuring midstream urine sample patients have to take the supplied sterile midstream urine container provided by the nurse after a few seconds of urinating and start urinating into it. 

Caution Before The Test: Do not take any medicines which affect the growth of microbes in the urine before obtaining the sample unless advised by your physician.