How can we help?

Home

Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity)

Also referred as

Urine culture test

35,617+ booked recently

For men & women

Earliest reports in

96 hours

Contains

1 test

Know more about this test

The Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) test helps detect harmful bacteria and yeast (a few Candida spp.) in urine that may be causing a urinary tract infection (UTI). Additionally, the sensitivity test helps identify the antibiotics most effective against those particular bacteria. It is also used to determine if there is resistance to any antibiotics.

Samples required

Urine

Find out

Why is this test booked?

Preparation for this test

Sample Collection

Who will collect your samples?

Understanding Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity)

Urine is the body’s liquid waste made when the kidneys filter out toxins from the blood. It comprises water, salt, electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, and some metabolic end products. The pathway followed by urine from the kidneys to the outside is called the urinary tract. Sometimes, the urinary tract may get infected by some microorganisms, causing a UTI.

The Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) test is usually done when you experience symptoms of UTI, such as:

Burning sensation while passing urine
Back pain
Lower abdominal pain
Urinating more often than usual
Painful or frequent urination
Blood in the urine, etc., for approximately. 3-4 days and does not subside

This test helps identify infection-causing microorganisms. If the results are positive, the sensitivity test helps determine which drugs (or antibiotics) are likely most effective for treating the infection. On the other hand, a negative urine culture indicates no signs of microbial infection; hence, it will not show sensitivity to various antibiotics.

Before the test, avoid urinating for at least 4 hours before collecting the sample to ensure accurate results. Also, avoid drinking excessive fluids before collecting the urine sample, as it may dilute the urine and affect the results. The doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medications, like antibiotics and supplements, before a Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) test, as they may affect your test results. A midstream urine sample should be collected into a sterile container provided by the sample collection professional. Women are advised not to give the sample during the menstrual period unless prescribed, as that can interfere with certain test results.

Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help the doctor correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The test results will help them determine your medical condition and formulate your treatment plan.

Lifestyle Tips to Prevent Urinary Tract Infection (UTI):

🥤Hydration: Keep it up! Stay hydrated to help flush out bacteria and reduce the likelihood of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

🥙Eat (Diet): Cranberry compounds may help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

🚴Activity (Exercise): Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, help strengthen the muscles that help empty the bladder.

Lifestyle (Hygiene): After urination or bowel movements, wipe from back to front to keep gut bacteria from entering the urethra.

👨‍⚕️Talk to Your Doctor (Consult): If you have persistent UTI symptoms or are at high risk, consult your doctor about taking a urine culture test.

💊Habits (Antibiotics): Do not self-medicate. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat a UTI.

What does Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) measure?

The Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) test helps identify the bacteria or yeast (a few Candida spp.) causing UTI; the most common bacteria responsible for UTI are E. coli. Once the pathogen (harmful microorganism) is identified, the antibiotic susceptibility test is done to formulate a treatment plan for the infection.

Frequently booked together

FAQs related to Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity)

What are the common UTI-causing microorganisms?

Common microorganisms that may cause a UTI are Escherichia coli (E.coli), Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp., Acinetobacter spp., Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Candida spp. Sometimes a person may also get UTI due to less common organisms like Enterobacter spp, Providencia spp, Citrobacter spp, etc.

What is a UTI?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that affects any part of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra.

What is the difference between sensitive and resistant in urine culture?

Sensitive means the microorganism present in the urine can't grow in the presence of a particular antibiotic or the antibiotic is effective against that microorganism. Resistant means the microorganism can grow even if the antibiotic is present. This is a sign of an ineffective antibiotic. Your doctor may not prescribe this antibiotic in such a case.

How is the Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) test different from the urine routine/microscopy (R/M) test?

The Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) test specifically detects the presence of bacteria or fungi in the urine and identifies the most effective antibiotics for UTI treatment. In contrast, a urine routine/microscopy (R/M) test is a general screening test that checks for physical, chemical, and microscopic elements in urine.

Can the Urine C/S (Urine Culture and Sensitivity) test detect sexually transmitted diseases?

No, this test cannot detect sexually transmitted diseases.

What can affect the results of the Urine C&S test?

The results of a Urine C&S test can get affected if the patient has recently taken antibiotics before the sample collection. It may also be affected if the urine sample is not collected properly. These may result in False negative or false positive results on urine culture.

Can I have a negative urine culture test even with symptoms of UTI?

A negative/normal urine culture test result means that the urine sample showed no significant growth of bacteria or yeast on culture. However, if symptoms persist, a urine culture may be repeated on another sample to look for the presence of bacteria at lower colony counts. Inform the laboratory if you are already started on antibiotic therapy by your doctor, as this will affect test results. Please share your prescription if available with you.

What does “mixed growth” mean in culture?

Sometimes, your culture shows several types of bacteria (mixed growth); this growth is likely due to contamination from outside your urinary tract or the surrounding skin or vaginal contamination in women in voided urine samples. If symptoms persist, your doctor may order a repeat culture on a more carefully collected “mid-stream clean catch” urine sample.

Can I have WBC/ pus cells in urine routine examination, but no organism on culture?

Sterile pyuria can lead to high levels of white blood cells in urine without the presence of bacteria. It has been linked to various causes, such as recently treated UTI (usually within 2 weeks), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), cystitis, atypical infections like tuberculosis (TB), autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), drug intake and malignancy.

What is the composition of urine?

Urine is composed of water (95%), with the rest being urea, creatinine, salts, and waste products from metabolism.

What is the normal pH of urine?

The pH of urine typically ranges between 4.5 and 8.0. Diet, hydration, and infection can affect this value.

What do pus cells in urine mean?

Pus cells in urine (also called white blood cells in urine) indicate infection or inflammation in the urinary tract.

What do yeast cells in urine indicate?

Yeast cells in urine may indicate a fungal infection, which cannot be treated with antibiotics.

What do crystals in urine indicate?

Crystals in urine can occur naturally but may also indicate kidney stones or metabolic issues if seen in excess.

What does the urine culture test cost?

The cost of a urine culture test can vary based on the diagnostic lab, location, and whether it's part of a broader testing package.

Content created by

Want to know moreRead our editorial policy

Last Updated

10th Oct 2025