Urine microscopy and culture is a two-part test used to diagnose urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other conditions that affect the urinary system.

Urine microscopy examines a sample of your urine under a microscope to look for:

• White blood cells (WBCs): The presence of large numbers of WBCs, also known as pyuria, can indicate an infection or inflammation in the urinary tract.

• Red blood cells (RBCs): The presence of RBCs, also known as hematuria, can indicate bleeding in the urinary tract, which can be caused by a variety of conditions, including UTIs, kidney stones, and tumors.

• Bacteria or yeast: The presence of bacteria or yeast can indicate an infection.

• Crystals: The presence of crystals can indicate dehydration or certain medical conditions.

Urine culture involves growing any bacteria or yeast present in the urine sample in a controlled laboratory setting. This helps to identify the specific organism causing the infection and determine which antibiotics will be most effective in treating it.

When is a urine microscopy and culture ordered?

A urine microscopy and culture may be ordered if you have symptoms of a UTI, such as:

• Pain or burning urination

• Frequent urination

• Urgent urination

• Difficulty urinating

• Blood in the urine (hematuria)

• Cloudy urine

The test may also be ordered if you have a fever or other signs of infection, or if you are being monitored for a condition that affects the urinary tract, such as kidney stones or diabetes.

How is a urine microscopy and culture performed?

For a urine microscopy and culture, you will need to provide a urine sample. This can be done in a doctor's office, clinic, or at home. The most common way to collect a urine sample is a midstream clean catch collection. To do this, you will be given a sterile container and instructions on how to clean the genital area before collecting the urine. You will then urinate into the toilet and then collect the urine midstream into the container. It is important to collect a midstream sample to avoid contamination with bacteria from the skin.

What do the results mean?

The results of a urine microscopy and culture will typically be available within a few days.

• Urine microscopy:

  • A normal urine microscopy will show few or no WBCs, RBCs, bacteria, or yeast.

  • An abnormal urine microscopy may show an increased number of WBCs, RBCs, bacteria, or yeast.

Urine culture:

• A negative urine culture means that no bacteria or yeast were found in the urine sample.

• A positive urine culture means that bacteria or yeast were found in the urine sample. The report will also identify the specific organism and its sensitivity to different antibiotics.

What if the results are abnormal?

If your urine microscopy and culture results are abnormal, your doctor will discuss the results with you and recommend treatment. Treatment will depend on the specific cause of the infection. If bacteria are found, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. If yeast is found, an antifungal medication will be prescribed.