Urinary Tract Samples (various)
Description:
A clinical diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI) can be confirmed by culture.
Microscopy is performed on a fully automated cytometry analyser. Manual microscopy is only performed as an alternative if the specimen is not suitable for the automated method. The cytometry or microscopy is used as a screening test to screen out all negative urine samples in the majority of samples.
Urine samples with positive cytometry or microscopy will be cultured for isolation, identification and susceptibility of likely pathogens. Samples from specific groups will have automatic culture irrespective of cytometry or microscopy result (such as children, transplant, renal, oncology, haematology and obstetric patients).
Not all susceptibility test results are routinely released and additional advice can be obtained from the consultant microbiologist if required.
Microscopy is performed on a fully automated cytometry analyser. Manual microscopy is only performed as an alternative if the specimen is not suitable for the automated method. The cytometry or microscopy is used as a screening test to screen out all negative urine samples in the majority of samples.
Urine samples with positive cytometry or microscopy will be cultured for isolation, identification and susceptibility of likely pathogens. Samples from specific groups will have automatic culture irrespective of cytometry or microscopy result (such as children, transplant, renal, oncology, haematology and obstetric patients).
Not all susceptibility test results are routinely released and additional advice can be obtained from the consultant microbiologist if required.
Clinical details:
Any culture result must be interpreted in context of the clinical picture.
Synonyms or keywords:
MSU, mid-stream urine, CSU, catheter urine, bag urine, clean catch urine, nephrostomy urine
Department:
Location:
Sample type and Volume required:
Bag urine, Clean catch urine, supra-pubic aspirate, nephrostomy urine
10 ml in a green topped monovette urine tube containing boric acid is the preferred sample. Samples received in the lab by 7pm will be set up for culture the same day.
Where possible please send separate samples for individual tests as samples may be processed in different departments such as cytology or virology.
Please indicate where a high risk pathogen may be implicated (such as Salmonella typhi)
10 ml in a green topped monovette urine tube containing boric acid is the preferred sample. Samples received in the lab by 7pm will be set up for culture the same day.
Where possible please send separate samples for individual tests as samples may be processed in different departments such as cytology or virology.
Please indicate where a high risk pathogen may be implicated (such as Salmonella typhi)
Turnaround time:
Cytometry/microscopy 4 hours
Negative cultures 1 day
Positive cultures 2-3 days
Patient instructions:
For mid-stream urines, start to urinate and collect a sample of urine "mid-stream" in a sterile screw-top container.
Special sample instructions:
Green topped Boric acid monovette tube, fill to the line please send in Universal Container if <10ml of urine available
Storage and transport:
Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR). Samples should be refrigerated if transport to the laboratory is delayed.
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730
Laboratory:
Last updated: 29/04/2019
