Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common pathologies. Scientific studies estimate that between 50% and 60% of women will have an episode during their lives. Many germs can cause it, but fortunately urine culture is used to detect the specific causative agent.
In 1995, the direct and indirect cost of these infections in the United States reached 2,000 million dollars annually. Of course, knowing how to identify the pathogen that causes each case is essential for the speedy recovery of the patient.
What is a urine culture used for?
First of all, it is necessary to emphasize that a urine culture and a urinalysis are not the same. The second consists of a series of tests applied to the patient sample, including macroscopic and microscopic, physicochemical tests and, if necessary, a urine culture at the end.
Therefore, not all urinalysis requires a urine culture to diagnose the patient. These are considered when the professional suspects a urinary infection in adults and children, as indicated by the United States National Library of Medicine.
How is the sample taken?
Most of the time, the urine sample will be taken at home and then taken to the trusted health center of the patient. In any case, the clinical microbiology committee of the Chilean Society of Infectology establishes each of the steps in detail in a document.
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