Apollo Diagnostics | NABL-Certified Lab | Home Collection Available | Results in 48–72 Hours
What is a Urine Culture & Sensitivity Test?
The Urine Culture & Sensitivity (Urine C/S) test is the gold-standard diagnostic procedure used to confirm a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). While a routine Urine R/M can suggest an infection by detecting pus cells and bacteria, a Urine Culture identifies the exact species of bacteria or yeast causing the infection. The Sensitivity portion is equally critical — it determines which specific antibiotics will effectively kill the identified pathogen, ensuring targeted treatment without the guesswork of trial-and-error antibiotic prescribing.
⚠ Important: Collect a first-morning mid-stream urine sample in the sterile container provided. Clean the genital area with water before collection. Allow the first few drops to pass then collect the middle portion. Submit the sample to the lab within 2 hours of collection. If you are already taking antibiotics, inform your phlebotomist as antibiotics can suppress bacterial growth and give a falsely negative culture.
The Importance of Culture and Sensitivity Testing
This test is essential for effective antimicrobial treatment and preventing antibiotic resistance:
- Identifying the Pathogen — pinpoints the specific organism (E. coli, Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, Candida) responsible for the infection
- Targeted Antibiotic Therapy — prevents misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics by identifying the most effective drug for the specific strain
- Managing Recurrent UTIs — identifies bacterial resistance patterns in patients with frequent infections who do not respond to standard antibiotics
- Pregnancy Safety — routine screening for pregnant women to detect and treat asymptomatic bacteriuria before it progresses to kidney infection
- Preventing Antibiotic Resistance — targeted prescribing based on sensitivity results reduces the emergence of multi-drug resistant organisms
Common Organisms Identified in Urine Culture
| Organism | Common In | Clinical Note |
|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli (E. coli) | 80% of community UTIs | Most common UTI pathogen. Usually responds to nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim. |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | Hospital-acquired UTIs, diabetics | Increasingly resistant. Culture-guided treatment essential. |
| Proteus mirabilis | Recurrent UTIs, urinary stones | Produces urease causing alkaline urine and struvite stones. |
| Enterococcus faecalis | Elderly, post-catheter UTIs | Naturally resistant to many antibiotics. Sensitivity testing critical. |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | Hospitalised patients, catheters | Highly resistant. Requires specialist antibiotic selection. |
| Candida species | Diabetics, immunocompromised | Fungal UTI. Requires antifungal treatment, not antibiotics. |
| Staphylococcus saprophyticus | Young sexually active women | Second most common UTI in young women. Usually antibiotic sensitive. |
How to Collect a Urine Sample Correctly
Mid-stream clean-catch technique — step by step:
- Wash hands thoroughly before collection.
- Clean the genital area with plain water (no soap inside the urethra).
- Begin urinating — allow the first 20–30 mL to pass into the toilet.
- Collect the middle portion of the urine stream directly into the sterile container provided.
- Do not touch the inside of the container or lid.
- Seal the container immediately and submit to the lab within 2 hours.
- If immediate submission is not possible refrigerate the sample at 4°C for up to 4 hours.
First morning urine is preferred as it is most concentrated and gives the highest bacterial count if infection is present.
Significant Growth Thresholds
| Colony Count | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Below 10,000 CFU/mL | No significant growth — contamination or very early infection |
| 10,000 – 100,000 CFU/mL | Borderline — repeat culture if symptoms persist |
| Above 100,000 CFU/mL (10ῳ) | Significant bacteriuria — confirms UTI; sensitivity panel reported |
| Any count in catheterised patients | Clinically significant — interpret with symptoms |
| Any count in pregnancy | Treat even asymptomatic bacteriuria |
When is a Urine Culture & Sensitivity Test Recommended?
Your doctor may recommend a Urine C/S test if you experience:
- Burning sensation or pain during urination
- Frequent or urgent urination with small volumes
- Cloudy, foul-smelling or blood-tinged urine
- Lower abdominal pain or pelvic pressure
- Fever with back or flank pain (possible kidney infection)
- Recurrent UTIs — 3 or more per year
- UTI symptoms in pregnancy (routine screening)
- UTI not responding to initial antibiotic treatment
- Abnormal Urine R/M showing pus cells and bacteria
- Pre-surgical urine clearance in patients undergoing urological procedures
What Conditions Does Urine Culture Help Diagnose?
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) — lower tract (cystitis) and upper tract (pyelonephritis)
- Asymptomatic bacteriuria (in pregnancy and pre-surgery)
- Recurrent UTI with antibiotic resistance
- Fungal UTI (Candida species)
- Catheter-associated UTI (CAUTI)
- Urinary TB (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) — requires special culture
Urine Culture & Sensitivity Test Price in Kolkata
Urine Culture & Sensitivity Test Price: ₹650
No fasting required | First morning mid-stream sample | Results in 48–72 hours | Free home collection above ₹2,000
No fasting required | First morning mid-stream sample | Results in 48–72 hours | Free home collection above ₹2,000
Tests Commonly Ordered Alongside Urine Culture
- Urine Routine & Microscopy (Urine R/M) — always ordered alongside culture. R/M provides immediate results for pus cells, bacteria and RBCs while culture takes 48–72 hours.
- Kidney Function Test (KFT) — upper UTI (pyelonephritis) can cause kidney impairment requiring creatinine and eGFR monitoring
- CBC (Complete Blood Count) — elevated WBC (leukocytosis) confirms systemic infection in upper UTI or urosepsis
- HbA1c & Blood Sugar — diabetes is a major risk factor for recurrent and complicated UTIs
- Urine Microalbumin — if kidney involvement is suspected alongside UTI in diabetic patients
Home Collection for Urine Culture Test in Kolkata
Apollo Diagnostics provides home sample collection for Urine Culture & Sensitivity tests across North and Central Kolkata. Our phlebotomist provides a sterile urine collection container at your doorstep with detailed collection instructions. The sample must be submitted to our NABL-certified laboratory within 2 hours of collection to ensure bacterial viability for accurate culture results.
- Home collection available: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Daily
- Sterile collection container provided at your doorstep
- First morning mid-stream urine preferred
- Submit sample within 2 hours of collection
- Free home collection on orders above ₹2,000
- Digital reports delivered to WhatsApp in 48–72 hours
Quick Links
→ Apollo Diagnostics Nagerbazar → Full List of Individual Tests → Book Home Collection → Full Body Checkup Packages
→ Apollo Diagnostics Nagerbazar → Full List of Individual Tests → Book Home Collection → Full Body Checkup Packages
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the Urine Culture & Sensitivity test used for?
The Urine Culture & Sensitivity test identifies the exact bacteria or yeast causing a urinary tract infection and determines which antibiotics will kill it. It is the gold standard for confirming UTI, managing recurrent infections, treating UTI in pregnancy and identifying antibiotic-resistant organisms that do not respond to standard treatment.
Q2. What is the difference between Urine R/M and Urine Culture?
Urine Routine & Microscopy (R/M) is a rapid test that detects pus cells, bacteria and other abnormalities under a microscope — results are available in a few hours. Urine Culture grows live bacteria in a lab environment to identify the exact species and its antibiotic sensitivity — this takes 48–72 hours. Both tests are ordered together: R/M for immediate guidance and Culture for definitive diagnosis and treatment planning.
Q3. How should I collect a urine sample for culture?
Clean the genital area with water. Allow the first 20–30 mL to pass into the toilet then collect the middle portion (mid-stream) in the sterile container provided. Do not touch the inside of the container or lid. Submit the sample to the lab within 2 hours of collection. First morning urine is preferred for the highest bacterial concentration.
Q4. What is the Urine Culture test price at Apollo Diagnostics Kolkata?
The Urine Culture & Sensitivity test price at Apollo Diagnostics is ₹650. Home collection with sterile container is available free on orders above ₹2,000. Results are delivered in 48–72 hours.
Q5. How long does a Urine Culture take?
Urine Culture results take 48–72 hours as the test involves incubating the sample to allow bacteria to grow to identifiable colonies. If growth is detected the Sensitivity panel (antibiotic susceptibility) is then performed on the identified organism, which is included in the same report. Negative cultures (no growth) are typically reported at 48 hours.
Q6. Can antibiotics affect the Urine Culture result?
Yes. If you are already taking antibiotics when the sample is collected, they may suppress bacterial growth in the culture medium and give a falsely negative result — meaning the test shows no bacteria even though infection is present. Always inform your doctor and phlebotomist if you are on antibiotics. If possible the culture should be collected before starting antibiotic treatment or after a 48–72 hour antibiotic-free window.
Q7. What does significant growth mean in a Urine Culture report?
Significant bacteriuria is defined as a colony count above 100,000 CFU/mL (10ῳ) of a single organism in a properly collected mid-stream sample. This confirms a genuine UTI. The sensitivity report lists antibiotics as Sensitive (S), Intermediate (I) or Resistant (R) — your doctor selects a Sensitive antibiotic to which your specific bacteria will respond. Colony counts between 10,000–100,000 CFU/mL are borderline and may warrant repeat testing.
Q8. Is home collection available for Urine Culture test in Kolkata?
Yes. Apollo Diagnostics provides home sample collection for Urine Culture tests across Dum Dum, South Dum Dum, Nagerbazar, Satgachi, Baguiati, Lake Town, Bangur, Kaikhali, Sealdah, Entally, Phoolbagan, Tangra and surrounding areas. Our phlebotomist provides a sterile container at your doorstep. Book by calling or WhatsApping +91 8660434628.
Q9. Why is Urine Culture important during pregnancy?
Pregnant women are at higher risk of UTI due to hormonal and anatomical changes. Even asymptomatic bacteriuria (bacteria in urine without symptoms) in pregnancy can progress to acute pyelonephritis (kidney infection) and increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. Urine Culture is therefore routinely recommended at the first antenatal visit and repeated if symptoms develop. Treatment with pregnancy-safe antibiotics guided by the sensitivity report is essential.
Q10. Which centre processes my Urine Culture sample in Kolkata?
All samples collected across North and Central Kolkata are processed at Apollo Diagnostics Nagerbazar — Nandarani Apartment, 8A Narasingha Avenue, Nagerbazar, Dum Dum, Kolkata 700074. Our microbiology laboratory is NABL-certified and ISO-certified with automated incubation systems for accurate culture results.
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