Urine Culture / Sensitivity Test in Kathmandu

About this test

Unlike a quick dipstick or routine urine examination, a culture actually grows whatever bacteria are present in the bladder so we can name the organism and, just as importantly, find out which antibiotics will kill it. A measured drop of urine is spread on culture plates and incubated; if a significant colony count grows (conventionally 100,000 colony-forming units per millilitre, lower in symptomatic women or catheter samples), the laboratory identifies the species — most often Escherichia coli, but sometimes Klebsiella, Proteus, Enterococcus or Staphylococcus — and then tests it against a panel of antibiotics. That second step, the sensitivity report, is the real value of the test: it tells your doctor which drug the bug will respond to and which it has learned to resist. A doctor orders this when there is burning on passing urine, frequency and urgency, lower-abdominal or flank pain, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, fever with chills suggesting the kidneys are involved, in pregnancy, in young children with unexplained fever, and before urological procedures. In Kathmandu the test matters especially because self-medication with antibiotics is common, and we are increasingly seeing resistant organisms, including ESBL-producing E. coli, that no longer respond to the usual first-line tablets. It is best read alongside the routine microscopy (pus cells, red cells, nitrites) and the patient's symptoms, since a positive culture without symptoms in some patients simply reflects harmless colonisation rather than true infection.

Sample type

Urine (mid-stream)

Preparation

No fasting needed. Collect a clean-catch mid-stream sample: wash the genital area first, pass a little urine into the toilet, then catch the middle of the stream in the sterile container we provide. Ideally collect the first urine of the morning, deliver it within an hour, and — where possible — give the sample before any antibiotics are started, as even one dose can mask the growing organism.

Turnaround time

Reports for Urine Culture / Sensitivity are typically ready within: 48 Hours. Reports can be collected at the clinic during opening hours or shared via WhatsApp once they are ready.

Also known as

Other microbiology tests we run

These are routinely ordered alongside Urine Culture / Sensitivity or as part of the same diagnostic workup.

How to book

WhatsApp is the fastest way — message us with the test name and your preferred time, and we'll confirm a slot the same day. You can also walk into the clinic at Rumba Chowk, Sanobharang any day between 7AM and 8PM, or fill in our online booking form.