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Culture & Sensitivity, Aerobic bacteria Urethral Discharge (Manual method)
Bacterial/ Viral
Report in 72Hrs
At Home
No Fasting Required
Details
Identifies bacteria & antibiotic susceptibility.
₹222₹317
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Culture & Sensitivity Aerobic bacteria Urethral Discharge (Manual method)
- Why is it done?
- This test identifies and isolates aerobic bacteria present in urethral discharge and determines their susceptibility to various antibiotics
- Diagnose urethritis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea and non-gonococcal urethritis
- Evaluate dysuria (painful urination), urethral discharge, or urogenital inflammation
- Guide targeted antibiotic therapy by providing susceptibility results to optimize treatment
- Confirm clinical diagnosis of urogenital infections and monitor treatment efficacy
- Typically performed when patients present with symptomatic urethral discharge, inflammation, or suspected infectious urethritis
- Normal Range
- Negative Culture: No growth of pathogenic aerobic bacteria; indicates absence of bacterial infection
- Normal Flora: Light or minimal growth of commensal organisms may be considered normal depending on clinical context
- Colony Count Units: Results reported as Colony Forming Units per milliliter (CFU/mL) or in semi-quantitative terms (light, moderate, heavy growth)
- Positive Culture: Presence of significant bacterial growth indicating active infection
- Sensitivity Interpretation: Reported as Susceptible (S), Intermediate (I), or Resistant (R) for each antibiotic tested
- Interpretation
- Negative Culture Result: Indicates no bacterial infection; symptoms may be due to viral infection, non-infectious causes, or inadequate sampling
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolated: Confirms gonorrhea diagnosis; antibiotic susceptibility determines treatment options (typically fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, or macrolides)
- Chlamydia trachomatis Culture: Positive culture indicates chlamydial urethritis; typically treated with doxycycline or azithromycin based on susceptibility
- Other Gram-Negative Rods: Presence of E. coli or other Enterobacteriaceae may indicate fecal contamination or urinary tract infection extending to urethra
- Gram-Positive Cocci: Staphylococci or Streptococci indicate secondary bacterial infection or contamination from skin flora
- Susceptibility Pattern Interpretation:
- • Susceptible (S): Organism will likely respond to standard therapeutic doses of the antibiotic
- • Intermediate (I): Response may be unpredictable; higher doses or alternative agents may be considered
- • Resistant (R): Organism is unlikely to respond; alternative antibiotic therapy is required
- Factors Affecting Results: Prior antibiotic use, improper specimen collection or transport, contamination during sampling, and specimen timing relative to infection onset
- Mixed Flora: Multiple organisms may indicate contamination; clinical correlation is essential for accurate interpretation
- Associated Organs
- Primary Organ Systems: Urethra, urinary tract, and reproductive organs (prostate in males, lower genital tract in females)
- Urethritis: Inflammation of the urethra caused by bacterial infection; commonly associated with gonorrhea and chlamydial infections
- Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU): Infection caused by organisms other than N. gonorrhoeae, particularly Chlamydia trachomatis
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Bacteria cultured may include gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other STI pathogens
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Bacterial infection may extend from urethra to bladder or upper urinary tract
- Prostatitis: Bacterial infection may extend to prostate gland if untreated urethritis progresses
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Ascending infection in females may lead to upper reproductive tract infection
- Complications of Untreated Infection: Infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, urethral strictures, and systemic sepsis if bacteremia occurs
- Disseminated Gonococcal Infection (DGI): Systemic spread may cause arthritis, dermatitis, meningitis, and endocarditis in severe cases
- Follow-up Tests
- Test of Cure Culture: Follow-up culture 3-5 days after antibiotic completion to confirm treatment efficacy
- Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs): PCR or TMA testing for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae for higher sensitivity and specificity
- Gram Stain Microscopy: Initial morphological identification of organisms and preliminary diagnosis
- Urinalysis and Urine Culture: To assess for concurrent urinary tract infection or upper urinary tract involvement
- Serological Testing: Testing for other STIs including syphilis (RPR/VDRL), HIV, and hepatitis B/C if indicated clinically
- Partner Evaluation: Testing and treatment of sexual partners is recommended for documented STIs
- Repeat Culture if Treatment Failure: If symptoms persist after recommended treatment, repeat culture and sensitivity testing to evaluate for resistant organisms
- Monitoring Frequency: Initial testing at presentation, test of cure after treatment completion, and repeat testing if symptoms recur or treatment fails
- Culture on Alternative Media: Modified Thayer-Martin or selective media if gonorrhea is suspected but not isolated on standard media
- Fasting Required?
- Fasting Not Required: This is a local specimen collection test; fasting is not necessary
- Pre-Collection Instructions: No special fasting requirements; food and beverage intake may continue normally
- Medication Considerations: Do not use topical anesthetics or antibacterial ointments on the urethral opening prior to collection
- Specimen Collection Instructions:
- • Collect urethral discharge using sterile swab inserted 2-3 cm into the urethral meatus
- • For males: Collection preferably 1-2 hours after voiding or first morning specimen
- • Place specimen immediately in appropriate sterile transport medium
- • Avoid contamination from surrounding skin flora
- Antibiotic Timing: Ideally collect specimen before initiating antibiotic therapy to optimize culture sensitivity; if already on antibiotics, inform laboratory
- Transport Requirements: Transport specimen to laboratory within 1-2 hours or use appropriate transport media; keep at room temperature
- Special Considerations: No urination for at least 1 hour before collection to maximize organism recovery; notify healthcare provider of current antibiotic use
How our test process works!
