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Urine culture is a laboratory test used to detect and identify microorganisms, primarily bacteria, in the urine. This test is essential for diagnosing urinary tract infections, which are among the most common bacterial infections affecting people of all ages. When a patient presents with symptoms such as painful urination, frequent urge to urinate, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, or lower abdominal pain, healthcare providers often order a urine culture to determine if bacteria are present and causing the infection.

The test involves collecting a urine sample, typically a clean-catch midstream specimen to minimize contamination from skin bacteria. The sample is then placed on special culture media in a laboratory setting where any bacteria present can grow and multiply. The culture is incubated at body temperature for 24 to 48 hours, allowing sufficient time for bacterial colonies to develop. If significant bacterial growth occurs, laboratory technicians can identify the specific type of bacteria causing the infection.

One of the most valuable aspects of urine culture is the antibiotic susceptibility testing that follows positive results. Once bacteria are identified, they are tested against various antibiotics to determine which medications will be most effective in treating the infection. This process, called sensitivity testing, helps healthcare providers select the most appropriate antibiotic therapy and avoid prescribing medications that the bacteria have become resistant to, thereby improving treatment outcomes and reducing the development of antibiotic resistance.

Results from a urine culture are typically reported as the number of colony-forming units per milliliter of urine. A count of 100,000 or more colony-forming units per milliliter generally indicates a urinary tract infection, though lower counts may be significant in certain circumstances, such as in symptomatic patients or those with catheters. Negative results mean no significant bacterial growth was detected, suggesting that symptoms may be due to other causes. The complete test results, including bacterial identification and antibiotic sensitivity patterns, usually take two to three days to become available.