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

A urine culture and sensitivity test (urine C/S) is an all-in-one test for urinary tract infections. It helps detect the infection, identify the infection-causing microorganism, and determine effective antibiotic treatment. The test helps detect UTIs early and reduce the risk of complications, such as kidney infection and sepsis. Selecting the right antibiotics helps treat recurrent and complicated UTIs effectively.

A urine culture test is the gold standard for diagnosing UTIs. It helps assess symptoms and risk factors associated with UTIs and guide effective treatment.

The presence of the following signs or symptoms warrants a urine culture test:

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

You should consider getting a urine culture test done if you fall under any of the following:

• 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 helps diagnose of various urinary tract infections, 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 results provide all the information required for assessing UTIs and their treatment in a single test. 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 detected.
• Antibiotic sensitivity: checks which antibiotics are effective against the infecting bacteria and which are not.

The normal test results suggest the absence of bacteria or fungi that can cause infection in the urine. Refer to the table below to know what normal urine culture test results look like:

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 overview of what the urine culture test results mean:

Antibiotic sensitivity test results help determine which antibiotics are effective and which organisms are resistant, guiding treatment of UTIs. Refer to the table below for more details:

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 Kolkata, a Urine Culture test via PharmEasy is generally available at approximately INR 899, with slight changes depending on the lab provider, service zone, and any running promotions. For deeper insights, you can compare Urine Culture test prices across major cities in India.

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

• Salt Lake
• New Town
• Rajarhat
• Dum Dum
• Lake Town
• Baguiati
• Park Street
• Ballygunge
• Bhowanipore
• Alipore
• Behala
• Tollygunge
• Jadavpur
• Garia
• Kalighat
• Kasba
• Kankurgachi
• Ruby
• Sealdah
• Shyambazar

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