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Choose collection locationMicrobiology & PCR · Individual laboratory test
Urine Culture
A urine culture helps identify organisms present in urine. When appropriate, the laboratory assesses which antibiotics may be active against an isolate.
Price for this test on its ownAED 199Test price AED 99
Clinical authorDr Nirupama SabhapathySpecialist Clinical Pathology
- Sample
- Urine
- Laboratory turnaround
- 4 to 5 days
- Collection
- Dubai
- Laboratory
- Intel Lab
Understanding the test
What does the Urine Culture test measure?
Also called Urine Culture & Sensitivity
Culture can be useful in recurrent urinary symptoms, suspected complicated infection or when a clinician needs evidence to guide treatment. Tell the team about recent antibiotics.
When it may be requested
Investigating urinary symptoms
A culture checks whether organisms grow from a urine specimen and can identify a likely cause.
Guiding further management
The organism, amount of growth and any reported susceptibility findings support interpretation.
Before your sample
Prepare for collection
SpecimenUrine
Your checklist
Follow the laboratory's clean-catch instructions. Tell the team about antibiotics already taken, and ask about timing before starting any newly prescribed treatment.
The laboratory needs a clean-catch midstream urine specimen in the sterile container supplied. Follow its collection and return instructions so that skin bacteria are less likely to affect the result.
Smart Report
Understanding your result
4 to 5 daysLaboratory turnaround
Result guideUrine Culture
Reading your result
The report may describe growth of a named organism, mixed growth or no growth. Symptoms and the quality of the specimen help distinguish infection from contamination or incidental findings.
What can affect it
- Collection contamination and antibiotics taken before sampling can alter the result.
From sample to follow-up
Your testing journey
Laboratory testUrine Culture
- Specimen
- Urine
- Turnaround
- 4 to 5 days
Open your laboratory report
Look for Urine Culture in your report. Use the sample type and collection time when comparing it with an earlier report.
Explore Smart Report
Discuss the next step
Mention any antibiotic taken before the specimen and whether urinary symptoms were present when the sample was collected.
Clinical expertise
Your laboratory team
Patient questions
Before you book
What does “mixed growth” mean on a report?
It can mean that organisms from the skin or surrounding area entered the specimen. Your clinician uses symptoms and collection history to decide whether a fresh sample is needed.
What does a positive urine culture mean?
Bacteria grew from the urine sample. Symptoms and how the specimen was collected help distinguish a urinary infection from bacteria present without illness or from contamination. Most people without urinary symptoms do not need antibiotics. Pregnancy and certain invasive urological procedures are important exceptions, so mention either when discussing the result.
What does "no growth" on a urine culture mean?
"No growth" means no bacteria grew from your sample, so a bacterial urinary infection is unlikely to explain your symptoms. The exception is when an antibiotic was taken before the sample, since even one dose can suppress growth. If symptoms continue, your doctor may look for other causes or repeat the culture.
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Your next step
Urine Culture test at home.
Sources & further reading
Written by Dr Nirupama Sabhapathy, Specialist Clinical Pathology. Medically reviewed by Dr Joyce Jose, Specialist Clinical Pathology, on .
Catalogue information and AED price checked on 2 November 2026. Clinical suitability, preparation, collection arrangements and turnaround are confirmed for your selected test.