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Urine culture is a bacteriological test of urine. They are performed when the result of the general examination is abnormal and, for example, indicates an infection of the urinary system, and when there are characteristic symptoms (e.g. difficulty in urinating, a feeling of painful pressure on the bladder, frequent urination with the impression of incomplete emptying of the bladder, hematuria).
Urine culture( urine bacteriology test ) may be ordered when a basic urine test indicates a urinary tract infection and if the patient has there are symptoms, for example: frequent urination with the feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, pain, itching, burning when passing it or hematuria. Urine culture is used to identify the bacteria and yeasts that caused the infection and to prepare an antibiogram or mycogram to select the appropriate treatment.
How to properly pass urine for testing?
Urine is put into a special sterilized container, which is free of all bacteria (it is taken from the laboratory where the urine will be cultured or bought at the pharmacy). As with the general examination, the test uses urine from the so-called midstream, from the first morning voiding (the medical term for urination), but when time matters, it can be done at any time of the day. Be careful not to touch the inside of the container as this will contaminate it.
To prevent contamination of the sample with bacteria on the skin, wash the external genitalia before collecting urine.
The sample must be delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible (1-2 hours), because in urine kept for several hours at room temperature, bacteria may multiply, which will distort the analysis result. If necessary, put the urine sample container in the refrigerator.
Test procedure and urine culture results
The study takes several days. The urine poured onto the plate with the nutrient solution remains in the incubator at a temperature close to body temperature for 24 or 48 hours. This allows colonies of bacteria or fungi to develop. Ideally, the test should be performed no later than 4 hours after collection. If stored incorrectly, the bacteria will multiply uncontrollably after just 4 hours, which will obscure the image of the infection.
The most common bacteria are:Escherichia Coli ,Proteus ,Klebsiella ,Enterokok .
A so-called quantitative culture is performed. The result includes the name of the bacteria or fungi, the name of the antibiotic to which it is sensitive, the number of colonies per 1 ml of urine. Most patients are expected to have no bacterial growth (negative) or less than 105 / ml, and children are expected to be 103 / ml.
If your general examination has a significant number of leukocytes (white blood cells, or cells of the immune system whose function is to protect against infection), you have symptoms of an infection and your culture is negative, this may suggest infection with tuberculosis or fungi. Then you need to inoculate on special media. You can wait up to several weeks for the results.
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