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urine culture

Indications: - complicated urinary tract infection* [4] - recurrent urinary tract infection - suspected pyelonephritis * includes multiple antimicrobial allergies; resistant organism suspected [4] Specimen: 1) clear, voided (clean-catch) urine 2) urine collected by catheter 3) minimum volume: 0.5 mL 4) container: -> sterile, leak-proof container with a screw cap Notes: 1) cultures should yield at least 50,000 organisms/mL 2) no more than 3 species should be isolated 3) organism identification & antimicrobial sensitivity 4) certain conditions may warrant antimicrobial sensitivity for isolate < 50,000/mL 6) 1,000,000 colony forming unit/mL is adequate threshold for diagnosing bacterial urinary tract infection in children [2]

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urinary tract infection (UTI) urine

General

culture of body fluid

References

  1. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed. Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1994, pg 491
  2. Coulthard MG et al Redefining urinary tract infections by bacterial colony counts. Pediatrics 2010 Feb; 125:335. PMID: 20100747
  3. Culture, Urine Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 60131
  4. Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 17, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2015