The key difference between a urine culture and a urine culture and sensitivity lies in what each test assesses after a potential infection is detected.
| Feature | Urine Culture | Urine Culture and Sensitivity |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Detect and identify bacteria or yeasts in the urine. | Detect and identify bacteria/yeasts and determine which antibiotics will inhibit their growth. |
| What it Determines | Whether or not an infection (UTI) is present. | Whether an infection is present and which antibiotics are most effective against the specific microbe. |
| Susceptibility Testing | Not performed unless the culture is positive. | Always performed if the culture is positive. |
| Reference Information | Determines the bacteria or yeasts causing the infection (Reference). | Determines which antibiotics will inhibit the growth of the microbe causing the infection (Reference). |
Essentially, a urine culture is used, along with results from a urinalysis, to diagnose a UTI and identify the specific bacteria or yeasts causing the infection.
Urine culture and sensitivity takes it a step further. If the urine culture is positive (meaning bacteria or yeasts are present), a susceptibility test is performed to determine which antibiotics will be most effective in treating the infection by inhibiting the microbe's growth. This helps doctors choose the right antibiotic to prescribe.
