Urine Culture A urine culture is a test that can detect bacteria in your urine. This test can find and identify the germs that cause a urinary tract infection (UTI). Bacteria, which typically cause UTIs, can enter the urinary tract through the urethra. In the environment of your urinary tract, these bacteria can grow rapidly and develop into an infection. Who is the test for? Urine cultures can identify the microorganisms, typically bacteria, which cause a UTI. UTIs are more common in females than males. This is because a woman’s urethra is shorter and much closer to the anus. Therefore, it’s much easier for bacteria from the intestines to find their way into the urinary tract. Bacteria ascend the urethra into the bladder, ureters, and kidneys, where they can develop into an infection. How is the test administered? The urine for a urine culture can be collected in several different ways. The most common method for collecting urine is the midstream clean-
Antibiotic Sensitivity Test Antibiotic sensitivity or antibiotic susceptibility is the susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics . Because susceptibility can vary even within a species (with some strains being more resistant than others), antibiotic susceptibility testing ( AST ) is usually carried out to determine which antibiotic will be most successful in treating a bacterial infection in vivo . Testing for antibiotic sensitivity is often done by the Kirby-Bauer method ( agar diffusion test ) . Small wafers containing antibiotics are placed onto a plate upon which bacteria are growing. If the bacteria are sensitive to the antibiotic, a clear ring, or zone of inhibition, is seen around the wafer indicating poor growth. Ideal antibiotic therapy is based on determination of the aetiological agent and its relevant antibiotic sensitivity. Empiric treatment is often started before laboratory microbiological reports are available when treatment sho