Urine culture as a test for cure: why, when, and how?

Quantitative urine culture before initiation of antimicrobial therapy is considered to be the gold standard for diagnosis of bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs). In addition to facilitating differentiation of harmless bacterial contaminants from bacterial pathogens,accurate identification of specific bacterial species aids in selection of antimicrobial drugs. It also facilitates differentiation of recurrent UTIs caused by relapses from recurrent UTIs caused by reinfections. Failure to perform bacterial urine cultures or failure to interpret results of urine cultures correctly may lead not only to diagnostic errors but to therapeutic failures as well.