Urine C/S

Kidney

Report in 72Hrs

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No Fasting Required

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Urine test to detect kidney or metabolic issues

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Urine Culture and Sensitivity (C/S) Test Information Guide

Why is it done?
- Identifies bacterial infections of the urinary tract by culturing urine samples to detect and isolate specific pathogenic organisms
- Determines antibiotic susceptibility and resistance patterns to guide targeted antimicrobial therapy
- Diagnoses urinary tract infections (UTIs) including cystitis, urethritis, and pyelonephritis
- Ordered when patients present with symptoms such as dysuria, urinary frequency, urgency, flank pain, or fever
- Performs routine screening in pregnant women to detect asymptomatic bacteriuria
- Monitors for recurrent or persistent infections in high-risk populations
- Typically performed when urinalysis shows evidence of infection (pyuria, bacteriuria, leukocyte esterase)
Normal Range
- Negative/Normal Result: No growth or less than 10,000 colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) indicates absence of significant bacteriuria
- Positive/Abnormal Result: ≥10,000 CFU/mL (10⁴) indicates significant bacteriuria
- Diagnostic Threshold: ≥100,000 CFU/mL (10⁵) for clean-catch midstream specimen; ≥10,000 CFU/mL for straight catheterization; any growth for suprapubic aspiration
- Units of Measurement: Colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) or organisms per milliliter (org/mL)
- Mixed Growth: Multiple organisms may suggest contamination rather than true infection
Interpretation
- Positive Culture Results:
  - Single organism isolated with appropriate colony counts indicates bacterial urinary tract infection
  - Common uropathogens include Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  - E. coli accounts for approximately 80-85% of uncomplicated UTIs in women
- Sensitivity and Resistance Patterns:
  - Sensitivity (S) indicates the antibiotic will likely be effective; organism is inhibited by standard concentrations
  - Resistant (R) indicates the antibiotic will be ineffective; organism is not inhibited by standard concentrations
  - Intermediate (I) suggests variable effectiveness; higher doses or concentrations may be needed
- Negative Culture Results:
  - May indicate absence of bacterial infection despite urinary symptoms
  - Could reflect viral, fungal, or non-infectious causes of symptoms
  - May result from prior antibiotic treatment before specimen collection
- Factors Affecting Results:
  - Collection method (clean-catch, catheterization, suprapubic aspiration) affects interpretation thresholds
  - Storage time and temperature influence organism viability and growth
  - Recent antibiotic use may suppress bacterial growth
  - Specimen contamination may result in false positive results with mixed flora
  - Indwelling catheters increase likelihood of bacterial colonization
Associated Organs
- Primary Organ Systems:
  - Urinary system including kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra
  - Reproductive organs (prostate in males, reproductive tract structures in females)
- Associated Conditions:
  - Acute cystitis (bladder infection) causing dysuria, frequency, and urgency
  - Pyelonephritis (kidney infection) characterized by fever, flank pain, and systemic symptoms
  - Urethritis (urethra inflammation) causing dysuria
  - Prostatitis (prostate inflammation) in males with urinary and pelvic symptoms
  - Asymptomatic bacteriuria especially important in pregnancy
  - Recurrent or chronic UTIs (≥2-3 episodes in 6 months)
- Complications of Untreated UTIs:
  - Progression to pyelonephritis with risk of renal scarring
  - Sepsis and bacteremia with systemic spread of infection
  - Chronic kidney disease and renal function decline
  - Pregnancy complications including preterm labor and low birth weight
  - Development of antibiotic-resistant organisms
Follow-up Tests
- Recommended Based on Positive Results:
  - Repeat urine culture 1-2 weeks after treatment completion to confirm eradication (test of cure)
  - Blood culture if signs of sepsis or pyelonephritis with systemic involvement
  - Serum creatinine and electrolytes to assess renal function in pyelonephritis or complicated UTI
  - Urinalysis to assess hematuria, proteinuria, and presence of white blood cells
  - Ultrasound or CT imaging if recurrent infections, suspected anatomical abnormalities, or obstructions
- Specialized Testing for Recurrent UTIs:
  - Cystoscopy to evaluate for structural abnormalities, tumors, or interstitial cystitis
  - Voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) to assess for vesicoureteral reflux
  - Urodynamic studies if neurogenic bladder or functional abnormalities suspected
- Monitoring Frequency:
  - Pregnant women: monthly screening or as clinically indicated
  - Recurrent UTI patients: periodic cultures during prophylaxis or after symptom recurrence
  - Catheterized patients: only if symptomatic or before invasive urological procedures
Fasting Required?
- Fasting Status: No fasting required. Urine culture is a non-invasive specimen collection test without dietary restrictions.
- Patient Preparation Instructions:
  - Collect mid-stream clean-catch specimen for accurate results and to minimize contamination
  - Use sterile container provided by the laboratory
  - Cleanse genital area with antiseptic wipes provided; females should clean labia to urethra, males should cleanse urethral meatus
  - Void initial portion of urine into toilet, then collect mid-stream portion (20-30 mL) in sterile cup, finish voiding into toilet
  - Do not touch the inside of the container to avoid contamination
  - Cap the container securely and label with patient identification
  - Refrigerate specimen if immediate delivery to laboratory is not possible (keep at 2-8°C for up to 2 hours)
- Medications to Avoid or Report:
  - Report all current antibiotic use to laboratory and provider, as this may affect culture results
  - If possible, collect specimen before starting antibiotic therapy for optimal culture sensitivity
  - Some antiseptic preparations may inhibit bacterial growth; follow laboratory-provided cleansing instructions
- Special Considerations:
  - First morning void is preferred as it is more concentrated, although any urine specimen is acceptable
  - For catheterized specimens, use aseptic technique to aspirate urine from the catheter port, never from the drainage bag
  - Women should not collect specimen during or immediately after menstrual period due to contamination risk
  - No special diet or fluid restrictions needed, though adequate hydration is recommended

How our test process works!