Overview:

• Purpose: The test identifies bacteria or yeast present in the urine and determines the specific antibiotic that can effectively treat the infection.
• Procedure: A urine sample is collected and cultured in a lab. The bacteria or organisms grown are then tested for sensitivity to different antibiotics.

Risk Assessment:

• Infection: Proper hygiene is required during sample collection to avoid contamination.
• Pain or Discomfort: Some individuals may feel slight discomfort when collecting the sample, particularly during catheterization.
• False Negatives/Positives: Contamination of the sample or improper handling may lead to inaccurate results.

Normal Range:

• No Growth: A normal result shows no significant bacterial growth in the urine sample.
• Positive Growth: Any bacterial growth that exceeds a certain threshold (typically >100,000 CFU/mL) suggests an infection.

Interpretation:

• Positive Result: Presence of pathogenic bacteria, requiring appropriate antibiotic treatment based on sensitivity results.
• Negative Result: No bacterial growth, suggesting no infection, though it may still suggest other issues (e.g., viral infections or sterile pyuria).
• Antibiotic Sensitivity: The sensitivity results show which antibiotics are effective against the identified bacteria, guiding treatment choices.

Sample Type:

• Midstream Clean-Catch Urine: Typically collected in a sterile container after cleaning the genital area. This minimizes the chance of contamination from skin bacteria.