Newcastle Laboratories

Urine Microbiology

Clinical Background:

A urine microscopy and culture may be ordered when symptoms indicate the possibility of a urinary tract infection, such as pain and burning when urinating and frequent urge to urinate. The presence...

A urine microscopy and culture may be ordered when symptoms indicate the possibility of a urinary tract infection, such as pain and burning when urinating and frequent urge to urinate. The presence of pus cells in the urine may be indicative of infection while a culture identifies the specific causative organism. Antibiotic therapy may be prescribed without requiring a urine culture for symptomatic young women who have an uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection. If there is suspicion of a complicated infection or symptoms do not respond to initial therapy, then a culture of the urine is recommended. Pregnant women without any symptoms may be screened for bacteria in their urine, which could affect the health and development of the fetus.

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Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Microbiology

    Microbiology

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    MSU, CSU, Clean catch urine, Pad urine etc in sterile Boric acid container

    MSU, CSU, Clean catch urine, Pad urine etc in sterile Boric acid container

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    MSU, CSU, Clean catch urine, Pad urine etc in sterile Boric acid container

    MSU, CSU, Clean catch urine, Pad urine etc in sterile Boric acid container

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    20 ml

    20 ml

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    1 - 5 ml

    1 - 5 ml

  • Special Requirement:

    Send to laboratory as quickly as possible. If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C

    Send to laboratory as quickly as possible. If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C

  • Sample Stability:

    Stable for up to 24 hours

    Stable for up to 24 hours

  • Transport Requirements:

    Standard

    Standard

  • Add On Test:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Quality Assurance:

    UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme

    UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme

  • Interpretation:

    Interpretative comments are added to reports where applicable

    Interpretative comments are added to reports where applicable

  • Reference Ranges:

    N/A

    N/A

  • Factors Affecting Result:

    If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C

    If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C

  • Referenced Documents:

    Standards of Microbiology Investigations (SMI B 41)

    Standards of Microbiology Investigations (SMI B 41)

Availability:

Urine microscopy is currently suspended to ensure the safety of our laboratory staff during the present COVID-19 pandemic.

This will be reviewed October 2021. Urine samples will continue to be cultured.

Performed daily during core hours. May be processed outside core hours if sanctioned by the microbiologist on-call.

Turn Around:

2 Days

Send To:

Department of Microbiology

Freeman Hospital
Freeman Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE7 7DN

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