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Urethral discharge culture
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| Definition: |
This is a laboratory test performed on males used to isolate and identify organisms in the urethra and genital tract that cause infection.
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| Alternative Names: |
Culture of urethral discharge; Genital exudate culture; Culture - genital discharge or exudate
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| How the test is performed: |
The opening of the urethra (at the tip of the penis) is cleansed with sterile gauze or cotton. A cotton swab is then gently inserted into the urethra about 3/4 inch and gently rotated. To ensure a good quality specimen, it should be collected at least 1 hour after urinating.
A culture of the discharge or exudate (the fluid that was collected) is then prepared in the laboratory. Any organisms that grow on the culture are isolated and identified. The drainage may be examined by Gram stain on a slide under the microscope for preliminary results and confirmed by culture. |
| How to prepare for the test: |
Do not urinate for 1 hour before the test. Urination will wash away some of the organisms needed to obtain an accurate culture.
Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
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| How the test will feel: |
| There is usually some discomfort associated with swabbing the urethra. |
| Why the test is performed: |
| Often the test is performed when there is a discharge from the urethra. This test can be performed to detect sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. |
| Normal Values: |
| A negative culture, or no growth appearing in the culture, is normal.
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| What abnormal results mean: |
Abnormal results can indicate infection within the genital system. These infections can include gonorrhea or chlamydia.
See also:
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| What the risks are: |
| Fainting (caused by stimulation of the vagal nerve) occasionally occurs when the swab is introduced into the urethra. Other risks include infection or bleeding. |
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Review Date: 1/8/2002
Reviewed By: Camille Kotton, M.D., Infectious Diseases Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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