What is Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test

Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test is to see if bacteria or yeast grow from your urine sample. Normally, urine is mostly germ-free. Bacteria or yeast in the urine may cause a urinary tract infection (UTI). You may have this test:

• If you have symptoms of a UTI, such as:
  • Frequent urination or passing small amounts of urine frequently.
  • Burning or pain when urinating.
  • Needing to urinate urgently.
• If you are pregnant. Pregnant women are at increased risk for UTIs and are screened for UTIs routinely.

What is being tested?

This test checks whether any of the following are present in your urine:

• Bacteria.
• Yeast.

What kind of sample is taken?

A urine sample is required for this test. The urine must be collected in a way that prevents the bacteria that is always on the skin (normal flora) from getting into the sample. There are two ways to do this:

• The clean-catch method. This is the most common way of getting a clean urine sample. You may collect a clean-catch sample at home or at the lab. Your health care provider may give you sterile wipes to clean your vagina or penis to prepare for collecting a clean-catch sample.
• Inserting a small, thin tube (catheter) into the part of the body that drains urine from the bladder (urethra). This method allows urine to be collected directly from the bladder.
  • In women, the urethral opening is just above the vaginal opening. 
  • In men, the urethra opens at the tip of the penis.

How do I prepare for this test?

• Do not urinate for about an hour before collecting the sample.
• Drink a glass of water about 20 minutes before collecting the sample.

What happens during the test?

Your urine sample will be placed onto plates that contain a substance that encourages bacteria and yeast to grow (agar plates). These plates will be kept at body temperature for 24–48 hours to see if bacteria, yeast, or other germs grow. Then, the plates will be examined under a microscope.

Any bacteria or yeast that grows from the culture will be tested against a variety of medicines to find the medicine that works best (sensitivity testing). For a UTI caused by bacteria, several types of antibiotic medicines may be tested.

How are the results reported?

Your culture test results will be reported as either positive or negative. Your sensitivity test results will be reported as a list of medicines that can be used to treat your infection.

What do the results mean?

A positive test result means that bacteria or yeast grew from your urine sample. This may mean that you have a UTI, and you may need to start taking antibiotic or antifungal medicines based on your sensitivity test results.

A negative test result means that no or few bacteria or yeast grew from your sample after 24–48 hours. This means that it is less likely that you have a UTI. If you still have symptoms, your test may be repeated.

A contaminated test result means that many different types of bacteria or yeast grew in your urine sample, and your sample most likely has normal flora in it. This sample cannot be used to make a diagnosis, and your test may need to be repeated.

Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.

Questions to ask your health care provider

Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the test:

• When will my results be ready?
• How will I get my results?
• What are my treatment options?
• What other tests do I need?
• What are my next steps?

Summary

• A urine culture is a test to see if bacteria or yeast grow from your urine sample.
• A urine sample may be collected using the clean-catch method or a urinary catheter.
• Your urine sample will be placed onto plates that contain a substance that encourages bacteria and yeast to grow.
• Any bacteria or yeast that grows from the culture will be tested against a variety of medicines to find the medicine that works best (sensitivity testing).