“My urine culture report was sent to another lab for a bacteria resistance report. Why does this happen?”
I think I have a urinary infection for which the doctor has prescribed a urine culture test. Yesterday I got a call from the lab saying the sample is being sent to another lab for bacteria resistance report. What could be the reason for this?
8 Answers
This happens, some bacteria are resistant to treatment and a second opinion may be needed by the laboratory. The test result take from 1 – 3 days for the final urine culture. Thank you.
Probably because the original lab does not do this type of testing.
I am not very familiar with this test. The only thing I can think of is that the first lab that was trying to find an antibiotic to treat your infection did not have one in their profile to kill it. Therefore, another lab was utilized to find the appropriate antibiotic for your treatment. I would suggest asking your own doctor or the lab that called you to further explain.
RB Thomas, MD
RB Thomas, MD
Mostly cultures are reported by the same lab where these are sent, sometimes due to the bacteria being difficult to be identified or resistant to first and second line drugs may be sent to a reference lab to be identified or tested against further antibiotics.
Some labs may not perform specialized susceptibility testing in house and so they usually send it to other (reference) labs.
There was growth of bacteria on your culture and now the lab would like to determine which antibiotics won’t work because the bacteria is resistant to it.
Bacterial resistance testing is performed to see if a certain bacterial growth is sensitive or resistant to the effect of different antibacterial agents. Some labs may not be equipped to perform that test, also known as a sensitivity test.
Sandra L. Aponte
Pathologist
I imagine the lab that did the first test does not have the antibiotics that are needed if the bacteria in your urine infection are resistance to some other antibiotics. Otherwise, I wouldn't know what they sent it out.
Good luck.
Good luck.
