Find a Test

Urine Culture and ABST - 000510

The urine culture, is a test which is done to test your urine specifically for the presence of bacteria or other microorganisms, in the case of a urinary tract infection. This test is usually not performed alone and always follows a urine full report test, if it indicates the presence of an infection.

The urine culture test is performed in order to detect the presence of infection causing organisms such as bacteria in the urine. If you complain of symptoms which indicate a urinary tract infection, then you will be asked to collect a urine sample which is then kept in conditions which encourage the growth of bacteria, if there are any, because bladder urine is usually a sterile fluid. The ABST test is done to check to which antibiotic the bacterium which has grown in your urine sample is sensitive.

These tests are done when your doctor suspects you might be having a urinary tract infection, if you are complaining of signs of an infections such as pain while passing urine or increased frequency of urination. These tests will help your doctor understand what organism is causing the infection and which medication is appropriate for the treatment.

There are no special preparations needed to undergo this test, but the sample for the urine culture is best taken early in the morning as the first urine of the day.

The urine culture and ABST test requires a clean catch midstream urine sample, which means that you have to collect the sample into a special container provided by the hospital, after you wash the region of the urinary opening with water. The sample is then sent to the lab, where it is placed in a culture medium, which allows the bacteria to grow.

Since the test requires only the collection of urine sample, there is no discomfort you have to experience when this test is being done.

There are no risks involved, when you undergo a urine culture and ABST test. It is considered a safe and noninvasive test.

Normal growth or minimal growth of bacteria or yeast, means that there is no infection. If there is a high colony count of the organism in the culture, then it means that there is an infection and the ABST report will tell you to which medication the organism is sensitive. If there is a mixture of two or more organisms found, it means the urine sample which was taken had been contaminated.

The most common factor which alters the results of a urine culture and ABST test is the consumption of antibiotics, either at the time of doing the test or in the recent past. You must always discuss the medication you are taking with your doctor prior to performing the test.