Urine Culture Test (Urine C/S) In Bengaluru - Price & Details

A urine culture and sensitivity test (urine C/S) is a comprehensive laboratory test that helps diagnose urinary tract infections (UTIs). From identifying infection and the infecting microorganism to selecting effective antibiotics, the single test covers these key steps. A midstream clean-catch urine sample is the only requirement for this test. The test results are made available within 3 - 4 days of the test. After receiving the test results, you can start appropriate antibiotic treatment under an expert’s guidance.

Your doctor recommends this test to diagnose UTIs in suspected and high-risk patients.

The following signs or symptoms might indicate a UTIs and require a urine culture test:

• Burning pain during urination
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Blood in the urine
• Abdominal cramps
• Lower back pain
• Fever or chills

The following conditions put individuals at higher risk of developing UTIs; hence, testing is recommended:

• Individuals with recurrent UTIs
• Pregnant women
• Patients with kidney stones
• Patients using a urinary catheter
• Immunocompromised patients
• Patients undergoing any urological procedures, such as ureterectomy or prostate surgery

Important note: A urine culture test should not be considered if signs such as foul odour, cloudy, or dark-coloured urine are present alone, without any UTI symptoms (burning, urgency, pain, or fever) unless you are pregnant.

The urine culture test is required to detect various urinary conditions, such as:

• UTIs: urinary tract infections affecting the bladder (cystitis) or urethra (urethritis).
• Pyelonephritis: kidney infection with fever, chills, flank, or back pain.
• Recurrent UTIs: repeated urinary tract infections every few months.
• Complicated UTIs: UTIs with complicating factors such as urinary tract abnormalities, kidney stones, or a weak immune system.
• Asymptomatic bacteriuria: the presence of bacteria in urine without any symptoms, which requires treatment only for pregnant women.
• Catheter-associated UTI: UTIs caused by catheter use.
• Fungal UTIs: UTIs caused by fungal growth, especially in uncontrolled sugar patients.

What to Expect Before the Test

• Fasting is usually not required before the test.
• Drink a glass of water 20 - 30 minutes before the test.
• Do not urinate for an hour before the test.
• Do not take antibiotics before the test.

What to Expect During the Urine Sample Collection

A midstream clean-catch urine sample is required for the test. The steps for the collection of the same are as follows:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Clean the genital area with an antiseptic wipe.
• Open the lid of the sterile container with clean hands and do not touch it on the inside.
• Let the first few drops of urine fall into the toilet, then start urinating midstream directly into the container, without touching the container to the skin.
• Close the lid and hand it to a lab technician, or send the kit to the lab within two hours.

What to Expect After the Test

• The test procedure is completely safe and painless.
• The sample is sent to the lab for culture and testing, and observed for 24 - 48 hours.

The urine culture test identifies specific microorganisms, helps assess the severity of a urinary tract infection, and guides treatment. The test parameters include:

• Bacterial growth: checks for growth of bacteria in the urine sample after 24 - 48 hours in the lab.
• Colony count: measures the number of bacteria in the sample to detect infection.
• Organism identified: presence of specific bacteria or fungi causing UTI is detected.
• Antibiotic sensitivity: checks which antibiotics are effective against the infecting bacteria and which are not.

To learn about what normal test results of a urine culture test look like on a lab report, refer to the table below:

Important note: Test results may vary from lab to lab. Always consult your healthcare provider and refer to the interpretation notes on your lab report.

The table below provides a detailed breakdown of how urine culture test results are interpreted:

Urine culture is followed by antibiotic sensitivity testing if the organism is identified. The results of the antibiotic sensitivity test can help reveal the following:

Disclaimer: The above information is for educational purposes only. The interpretation of the urine culture test depends on your clinical symptoms and medical history. Always consult a healthcare professional to understand your test results better.

In Bengaluru, a Urine Culture test via PharmEasy is generally available at approximately INR 899, with minor variations depending on the diagnostic lab, service location, and any ongoing promotions. For additional clarity, you can compare Urine Culture test prices across major cities in India.

You can book Urine Culture Test (Urine C/S) in Bengaluru through PharmEasy with convenient home sample collection across several localities, including :

• Indiranagar
• Koramangala
• HSR Layout
• Whitefield
• Marathahalli
• Electronic City
• Jayanagar
• JP Nagar
• Banashankari
• BTM Layout
• Yelahanka
• Hebbal
• Malleshwaram
• Rajajinagar
• Basavanagudi
• Bellandur
• Mahadevapura
• KR Puram
• Kalyan Nagar
• Richmond Town

You can also check service availability during purchase by entering your pin code.