Urine Cultures

Abstract

Urine culture results are reported semiquantitatively, as the colony count is used to guide the microbiological significance of bacteriuria. Thoughtful design and implementation of a urine reflex algorithm may improve diagnostic stewardship by increasing probability of a positive culture and decreasing overutilization of urine culture in cases of asymptomatic bacteriuria. Accordingly, interpretation of bacteria growing from urinary stone culture must take into account organism identification (e.g., urease producer, traditional uropathogen, traditional skin bacteria) and the mechanism by which the stone was obtained, in conjunction with concurrent urine culture results. Urinary stone disease is the result of urinary tract calcification leading to the formation of large mineral deposits. The exact molecular mechanism leading to the formation of urinary stones is unknown; however, there is a well‐understood association between the presence of bacteria within the genitourinary tract and formation of struvite stones.