Bacteriological culture (tank culture)- one of the most informative laboratory tests to assess the state of the urinary and reproductive systems. The essence of the study is to take a sample of flora from the urethra and create the most favorable conditions for it. Once the microorganisms multiply, diagnosticians receive material to create a therapeutic model. For what purposes, and for what diseases, is such a study prescribed?
Bacteriological culture from the urethra - analysis to determine the state of the genitourinary system
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And further bacterial sowing of the obtained biological material gives comprehensive information of the following type:
Viruses in bacteriological inoculation are not studied - they do not grow on conventional nutrient media. Additional analysis and ELISA are required, since it will not be possible to "inoculate" the viral agent. A study of this kind is considered the "gold standard" in the treatment of certain diseases of the urological and andrological profile.
Indications for appointment
What pathological processes are we talking about? We have to talk about diseases of the following type:
Isolation of a specific pathogen and its analysis for sensitivity to antibiotics allows you to select an effective antibiotic therapy.
How is research done?
- A swab is taken from the urethra with a specialized instrument. This is a rather painful process, but it is worth enduring it for the sake of your own health. The urethra is probed to a depth of 2-3 centimeters.
- Further, in a circular motion, collect material for research.
- The probe is removed and placed in a sterile tube. Microorganisms are transferred to a nutrient medium and create the most comfortable conditions for reproduction for 24-72 hours, after which the grown colonies of microorganisms are examined.
In order for the analysis to be accurate, it is necessary to refrain from urinating for 2-3 hours before taking the material.
A swab from the urethra is taken with a special probe
Decryption
The urethra is normally sterile. In inflammatory processes, microorganisms such as:
- enterobacteria;
- enterococci;
- pseudomonas;
- staphylococci;
- streptococci;
- mycoplasma;
- yeast-like mushrooms;
- anaerobic bacteria and others.
However, only a doctor should decipher the results of bacteriological culture.
Decode tank results. sowing can only be a doctor
Preparation for research
The list of measures to prepare for bacterial sowing is minimal
Minimal. Includes:
- refusal to take antibacterial agents per day;
- refusal of sexual intercourse in 2-3 days;
- conducting thorough hygiene of the external genital organs (in a few hours).
- you should urinate for the last three hours.
If you do not follow the rules, the result will be false. It is recommended to consult a urologist with the results of the analysis.
Bacteriological culture from the urethra is one of the necessary studies. There is no need to be afraid of him. Health is a significant value and should not be risked.
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If a man turned to the doctor with a complaint about any symptoms that cannot be attributed to the norm, most likely he will be prescribed to make a smear on the flora, which helps to identify the cause of the unpleasant manifestations. Urethral swab in men is an important urological manipulation. It can be used to determine:
- Microflora composition;
- The presence of inflammation;
- The presence of pathogenic microorganisms that indicate purulent processes;
- The presence of the causative agent of a venereal disease;
- The presence of a virus or fungus.
How is a smear taken from men?
To obtain material for research in the required volume, a probe is inserted into the man's urethral canal to a depth of about 3 cm. When carrying out this procedure, a disposable sterile instrument must be used. After insertion to a sufficient depth, the probe is scrolled to collect the secretions, then removed and left in a test tube for shipment to the laboratory. The tube must be 100% sterile.
The procedure itself takes only a few minutes. The doctor can announce the result within one week, but it usually takes from two to three days.
Is there pain after a urethral smear in men?
In most cases, during this manipulation, some discomfort is possible. Although some patients may feel painful symptoms after the procedure for several hours, after which they disappear on their own, without additional intervention. But, if the pain does not go away, but only intensifies, and purulent discharge appears after scraping, you should immediately tell the doctor about this.
To reduce possible discomfort, urologists often advise, on the eve of the test, to massage the prostate or the canal itself.
Clinical picture
WHAT DOCTORS SAY ABOUT PENIS ENLARGEMENT
Professor, urologist-andrologist A.V. Tachko:
Medical practice: over 30 years.
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Therefore, men still try to find for themselves an easier and cheaper way to solve the problem with the size of the organ.
Any method of penis enlargement, which is carried out at home, can really add a few centimeters to an insufficiently large organ. But men should understand that such procedures often lead to the development of unpleasant health consequences.
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What diseases will the analysis help determine?
No matter how experienced the doctor is, he will not determine with 100% accuracy the reasons for the manifestation of signs of an inflammatory process or pathology. He can only assume them, but he will make the final diagnosis only after reviewing the results of a full laboratory study.
The stronger sex, as well as their second halves, are often interested in the question of what kind of diseases are diagnosed using a study on a tank culture from the urethra in men. It is worth highlighting here:
- Mycoplasmosis;
- Urethritis;
If they are identified, the urologist may prescribe an additional study to determine the number and type of pathogenic microorganisms.
When a bacteriological study is prescribed
Often a smear in men from the urethra is taken for prophylactic purposes to clarify the general picture of the state of the genitourinary system. It is mandatory to appoint it when planning a pregnancy or if a couple has a problem with conception.
But, there are certain indications for such a study.
The following signs can serve as a signal for the appointment of a bacteriological analysis:
- Severe itching or burning appears in the area being examined;
- The genitals are reddened or covered with a rash;
- Any pain or discomfort is present during intercourse or when urinating;
- An unusual discharge appears in the urinary canal area.
Do I need preliminary preparation
Whatever analysis you have to take, doctors provide certain recommendations to obtain the most accurate result. Before taking a smear for flora, they advise:
- A week before the procedure, you should stop taking medications that are not agreed with your doctor;
- Complete abstinence from intimacy is required for two days;
- Before scraping, so as not to distort the result, you should not urinate for about two hours;
- Hygiene procedures should be performed the night before, and not before visiting a doctor.
What will the analysis of the urethra tell in men
What exactly happens in the body, after receiving the results of the study, only a doctor can reliably tell. He will correlate patient complaints, personal examination and smear check data and paint an accurate picture of what is happening. But, knowledge of the decoding of certain terms will allow a person to understand himself what is happening to him:
- Leukocytes. 0-5 is the norm. That is, an acceptable presence in the microflora. If their indicator is increased, this indicates the presence of inflammation in the body. A significant excess of the leukocyte count in many cases indicates diseases such as urethritis or prostatitis;
- Epithelium. Normal: 5-10. The inner surface of the urinary opening is covered with epithelial tissue. If the indicator exceeds the norm, then there is an inflammatory process;
- Slime. It is always present in the smear, but also in small quantities. If there is a lot of it, we are talking about an infection;
- Staphylococci, streptococci and enterococci. They reproduce only in favorable conditions for themselves. With a large content in a smear, urethritis can be diagnosed;
- Gonococci. If they are identified during the analysis, these are the causative agents of gonorrhea. If a man is completely healthy, such microorganisms are completely absent in the smear;
- Trichomonas. If they are, then the man has trichomoniasis. A healthy body does not allow even the slightest of their presence.
What should be the next steps
When the analysis is received and the doctor sounded a disappointing result, many men panic. But, this should not be allowed in any case, because any of the diseases of the genitourinary sphere, which is determined by a smear, can be cured. In no case should you self-medicate according to the principle "and it helped your neighbor."
Only an experienced specialist who has established the correct diagnosis can prescribe the correct treatment for a speedy recovery.
Sometimes he can send for additional tests, but if there is no such need, the proper treatment regimen is immediately prescribed.
What treatment can the doctor prescribe
In each case, the treatment should be individual. It depends not only on the type of disease, but also on the characteristics of each individual organism. Usually doctors prescribe antibiotics, antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs, and topical therapy. Treatment should be comprehensive and with strict adherence to all the prescriptions of the attending physician.
Summing up
Many diseases are latent and with little or no symptoms. If you suddenly noticed something unusual on the part of the body - do not postpone the visit to the clinic. The symptoms will not go away on their own, especially if the condition is serious.
Tank culture from the urethra in men is the fastest and also quite informative research. Timely delivery of tests together with treatment in most cases gives a 100% result of a speedy recovery and minimizes the likelihood of consequences. But, in the presence of infectious diseases, if a man is sexually active, his partner also needs to be examined for the presence of such microorganisms. Otherwise, the whole treatment can be reduced to zero, since they will be constantly transferred from one to another.
Do not let the whole thing go by itself. Of course, not a single disease goes away. In addition, in addition to unpleasant discomfort, microflora pathology can even lead to infertility. If it is present, the sperm changes its quality and immobile spermatozoa appear in the seminal fluid.
Any infection can develop rapidly. If it is not detected in time and not get rid of it, the disease can gradually turn into a chronic form, with which it will be almost impossible to fight. After all, any chronic process is not completely killed, but periodically manifests itself in the form of new exacerbations. And this sometimes leads men to even impotence.
How to take a smear from the urethra in men is one of the frequent questions of patients who are assigned a laboratory study of a urogenital smear (scraping). As a rule, an analysis is necessary if there is a suspicion of the presence of sexually transmitted infections or some other pathologies.
According to the reviews of the patients who underwent this analysis, the sensations when taking the material were not very pleasant, but quite bearable.
How is a urogenital swab taken
Immediately before sampling the material, the penis is wiped with saline and dried with a sterile napkin, which prevents microorganisms from entering the sample from the surface of the skin. The material is collected using a special probe, which is inserted into the urethra a few centimeters, then placed in a specially designed container with a transport medium and delivered to the laboratory.
According to the reviews of the patients who underwent this analysis, the sensations when taking the material were not very pleasant, but quite bearable. In the presence of an inflammatory process in the urethra, the patient experiences greater discomfort. After taking the material for research, unpleasant sensations when urinating may be noted for several days.
Usually, a laboratory study of a urogenital smear in men is done 1-3 working days.
Preparation for research
To obtain an accurate research result, you should properly prepare for the delivery of the material. For three, or preferably seven days before the study, physical overload and sexual contact should be avoided.
In the case of taking medications, especially anti-infectious drugs, the doctor should be warned about this, since in this case the analysis may be expedient to postpone to a later date (usually 2-3 weeks after the completion of treatment with antibacterial drugs).
In the evening on the eve of the test, you need to conduct a thorough toilet of the external genital organs, in the morning on the day of sampling this is not necessary. For 2-4 hours before taking the test, you should not urinate, therefore, it is not recommended to consume a lot of fluids before the test.
If a patient is diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections, all his sexual partners need to be examined and treated.
Indications for the analysis of a urogenital smear in men
Urogenital smear is an accessible and informative method for diagnosing many diseases. Its analysis allows you to detect causative agents of genital infections, inflammatory processes in the organs of the reproductive system (prostatitis, urethritis, etc.). The study may be needed as part of the diagnosis of infertility, in the course of a preventive urological examination. In addition, a smear is prescribed after the treatment has been carried out in order to monitor its effectiveness.
Symptoms that may be suspicious of inflammatory urogenital diseases and require smear analysis are:
- soreness during or after urination;
- frequent urge to urinate;
- discharge from the urethra;
- swelling and hyperemia of the genitals;
- rashes in the genital area.
Only a specialist should decipher the result of a laboratory study of a urogenital smear. To diagnose most diseases, it is not enough to look only at the smear result; a comprehensive assessment of the identified abnormalities, other diagnostic studies, as well as the clinical picture of the disease is required.
You can familiarize yourself with the procedure for taking material for research in detail by looking at the corresponding photos and videos.
Types of urogenital smears
What the smear result shows depends on the type of examination. So, a general smear from the urethra (smear on the flora) allows you to determine the number of leukocytes, erythrocytes, epithelial cells, microflora, etc. ...
To diagnose most diseases, it is not enough to look only at the smear result; a comprehensive assessment of the identified abnormalities, other diagnostic studies, as well as the clinical picture of the disease is required.
When dubious results are obtained, a re-examination is prescribed, if the indicators go beyond the normal range, additional diagnostics are shown. For example, to clarify the presence of hidden infections, they resort to polymerase chain reaction (PCR method), which allows you to identify the causative agent of the infection even in cases when the urogenital smear shows a negative result (for example, at the initial stage of the inflammatory process).
If a patient is diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections, all his sexual partners need to be examined and treated.
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A smear on the flora in men is made from the urethra. This procedure is used in the practice of a venereologist and urologist and is one of the mandatory stages of the examination. It is carried out both for the diagnosis of the disease in the presence of complaints, and during prophylactic examinations. The results of the study make it possible to identify most of the known causative agents of infectious diseases.
A very important condition for the objectivity of the results is the elementary cleanliness of the genitals before taking the material, so you need to take a shower in the evening. It will also be important to abstain from sexual intercourse two days before the test, and for several hours to refrain from urinating, which will allow the accumulation of bacterial flora.
It is not recommended to be tested during antibiotic treatment. In this case, the microflora test should be taken no earlier than two weeks after the end of treatment. It is recommended to refrain from drinking alcohol the day before the analysis. If you do not follow these recommendations, then the result will be unreliable, respectively, and the treatment will be inadequate.
There are situations when a doctor prescribes a provocative diet or lifestyle to identify latent pathology. This may include drinking alcohol, eating harsh food at dinner, going to the sauna, or taking a hot bath. This is done to provoke an exacerbation of a chronic or sluggish process.
What is the indication for the analysis?
A study on the flora from the urethra is carried out by everyone, without exception, when contacting a venereologist or a doctor of the urological department during a routine preventive examination. This analysis is necessary in the presence of complaints such as infertility, pain during or after urination, the appearance of discharge from the urethra. Such an analysis is performed after accidental sexual intercourse without the use of means of protection or in the case when a pathological process is detected in the partner.
How is the material taken?
The analysis procedure takes about three minutes, during which material is taken from the man's urethra. A sterile instrument is inserted into the urethra to a depth of 3-5 centimeters, rotated around its axis and removed. The scraping made in this way is applied to a glass slide, which is dried, and then stained with special substances.
The result is assessed using a microscope. In this case, the causative agents of infections react to the color strictly individually, which allows a diagnosis to be made. The result is assessed according to the following indicators:
- the number of leukocytes, erythrocytes and epithelial cells;
- microorganisms;
- mucus or purulent discharge.
If Trichomonas damage is assumed, then the smear is also examined for the presence of pathogens that are not devoid of mobility.
The spectrum of sensation in this study is very diverse. In the absence of any pathology of an inflammatory nature, the procedure does not bring unpleasant sensations. Much depends on the individual sensitivity of the person, the qualifications and skill of the laboratory worker. Pain or discomfort arising from any of these reasons may disturb the patient for several hours after the test.
When sampling the material, part of it is sent for PCR analysis, and an assessment of the effectiveness of treatment can also serve as an indication for it.
Assessment of the research result
Decoding of the obtained analysis is carried out only in the laboratory and only by a certified specialist. The correctness of the diagnosis and the result of treatment depend on the reliability of the presented results.
An increase in the number of leukocytes in the analysis is not always an indicator of a pathological process. Moreover, when analyzing for flora, the presence of leukocytes (up to 5 pieces in the field of view) is the norm. If a larger amount is detected, then this characterizes the presence of an inflammatory process both in the urethra itself and in the prostate gland or the presence of a tumor process. If more than 100 leukocytes are found, then this may indicate that the patient has gonorrhea or trichomoniasis. Clarification of the pathogen is carried out using additional tests.
The presence of red blood cells in large numbers indicates the presence of acute inflammation, a tumor process, but does not exclude trauma to the urethra when taking the analysis.
Normally, the presence of epithelial cells up to 10 is allowed. If there are a large number of them, this indicates a pathological process in the urethra. This indicator is important in the aggregate assessment with leukocytes and reflects the activity of the inflammatory process. An excess of epithelial cells indicates a chronic process, which can be both a consequence of a sluggish infection and neoplastic pathology, or a trauma.
A small amount of mucus in a smear is not a pathology, but a large amount of it can mean the presence of an infection, namely:
- Trichomonas;
- candida;
- diplococci;
- chlamydia;
- cocci.
With an exacerbation of the inflammatory process, smear analysis will show a large amount of mucus and leukocytes.
The presence of single coccal is not a pathology. If more than 5 different microorganisms are detected, then this indicates the presence of dysbiosis, which is caused by an infection. Gonococci, Trichomonas indicate the presence of infections of the same name, and the fungal infection is explained by the causative agent of the genus Candida.
A smear on the microflora in men is an indicator not only of the absence of infections of the genitourinary system, but also of the general health of a person.
The pathology detected at an early stage allows you to eliminate it even before the signs of the disease appear.
How does standard analysis stand for?
Decoding of the standard analysis, according to the results of which it can be concluded about the presence or absence of pathology, includes the following indicators:
- Leukocytes (Le). Cells that protect the body from the effects of various infectious agents. Normally, there should be up to 5 of them in the field of view. A large number indicates the presence of inflammation in the urethra, prostate, or testes.
- Erythrocytes (Er). These cells carry oxygen. Normally, it should be up to 3 in the field of view. Their increase in combination with leukocytosis indicates inflammation of a traumatic nature or inflammation of the mucous membrane of the urethra, does not exclude the possibility of injury when taking material from the urethra.
- Eosinophils (Eo). Their presence in more than 10% of the total cellular composition in the analysis indicates an allergic inflammation in the urethra.
- Slime. It can reflect both inflammation and the process of arousal.
- Lipoid grains. Indicate the release of prostatic secretions. May be with chronic inflammation of the prostate or an imbalance in sexual activity.
- Sperm. Speaks about the malfunctioning of the muscles of the vas deferens.
- Epithelium. The presence of its cells more than 10 indicates the presence of pathology in the urethra. Their combination with leukocytosis reflects an acute inflammatory process, and the rate of leukocytes against the background of an increased amount of epithelium indicates a chronic course of the process.
- The presence of microorganisms indicates an infectious process. In this case, the norm can be epidermal staphylococcus, saprophytic staphylococcus, Staphylococcus aureus (no more than 5% of cases), green streptococcus, fecal streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Proteus, corynebacteria (up to 25%). Pathogenic are gonococci, Trichomonas, chlamydia, candida.
During life, the composition of the human microflora can change. But the presence of a large number of one of the microorganisms is a sign of an inflammatory process. When passing an analysis for microflora, the experience and level of professionalism of the laboratory staff and the availability of the necessary reagents are very important. In some cases, when the results obtained are ambiguous, they resort to additional research. ...
Diseases of the genitourinary system are associated with a large number of diseases. To identify the causative agent of the pathology that has arisen, you need to undergo a microscopic examination of a smear taken from a man's urethra or a woman's vagina. More often men face this because of the structural features of the genitourinary organs. In order to properly prepare for the study, it is important to know the specifics of its conduct.
An appointment for a smear from the genitourinary system is made if there is a suspicion of an inflammatory process. Due to the close location of the organs of the urinary and reproductive systems, the test being taken shows where the disease is located. Microscopic examination can easily establish the presence of a viral or bacterial infection.
According to experts, this research method is quite informative. It can show the presence of an inflammatory process proceeding in a latent form, without obvious signs of the disease. Therefore, it is mandatory for a planned visit to a gynecologist and urologist.
Reasons for prescribing a smear from the genitourinary system:
- Scheduled visits to a gynecologist, urologist;
- Suspected infectious or fungal diseases;
- Inappropriate discharge;
- The appearance of an unpleasant odor;
- Rash and itching on the genitals;
- Unpleasant and painful sensations during intercourse or during urination.
Urogenital smear examination is the most reliable method for detecting latent infections. According to statistics, 1/4 of the population are carriers of a latent infection who do not have symptoms. As a rule, this type of disease does not always bring colossal harm to human health, in some cases they go away on their own. More often than usual, this can be observed in men.
If there are unusual sensations and changes in the genitourinary organs, itching, peeling, discharge or pain, you should immediately seek help from a specialist. After conducting the necessary research, the doctor will be able to accurately identify the cause of the violation and prescribe the correct treatment. Complications of diseases can cause serious disturbances in the general functioning of the body, and in particular, provoke the development of infertility.
How the smear is taken
If an inflammatory disease of the genitourinary system is suspected, a smear is taken from the urethra in men and from the vagina in women. This is done by a urologist and a gynecologist. During the sampling of the analysis, it is necessary to take into account the structural features of the organs of a man and a woman. Therefore, the principle of collecting a smear will be slightly different.
In men
In the case of collecting analysis from men, this procedure is very simple. A scraping probe is inserted into the urethra to a depth of 2-3 cm, after which it is pressed against the inner wall and several rotational movements are made. Then the doctor removes the probe.
If during the collection of the analysis it is necessary to obtain a special result with the release of the necessary secretion of the prostate gland,. For this, a special bougie is used. As a result of this study, a smear on the flora in men is more informative.
Among women
When visiting a gynecologist, women often have to take a smear for infections more often than usual. When viewed through a mirror, the doctor takes a scraping of the mucous membrane of the uterine wall. During the study, disposable sterile instruments are used.
Thanks to this research method, such serious diseases as a malignant tumor of the uterus can be avoided. The research is fairly easy to use and does not take much time.
Timely diagnostics reduces the risk of serious complications, so you should not neglect visiting specialists, especially in case of symptoms.
Preparation for research
When prescribing an analysis, many wonder how a smear is taken from men and whether special training is needed. According to most experts, training is simply necessary, it will help reduce the risk of getting false or false positive results. As practice shows, preparation includes a number of simple procedures that everyone can handle.
A few days before the appointed date of the study, it is necessary to exclude the intake of alcohol or medications. If it is absolutely impossible to interrupt the course of treatment, you should warn your doctor about this. This will help him take into account the composition of the drugs taken, analyzing their effect on the results obtained.
During the toilet of the genitals, only soap should be used; the use of intimate hygiene products can affect the reliability of the results. An intimate haircut should be done if rashes, peeling and itching appear around the genitals, or if unnatural discharge from the glans penis or vagina appears.
If your doctor suspects latent infections when giving a smear, he or she may recommend a special diet. Fatty, spicy, salty and sweet foods should be excluded from the diet. It is advisable to do this 5-7 days before the analysis. The interval after urination and before taking a smear should be at least two hours.
Diseases detected by smear examination
Microscopic examination of a smear can reveal a large number of diseases. Its use will be especially relevant when detecting hidden infections. For example, the incubation period for thrush in men will be longer than in women. As a rule, with male thrush, signs of the disease at the initial stage of the disease:
Many infectious and fungal diseases of the urinary system have a similar symptomatic picture, therefore, the pathogen can be identified only with the help of this analysis. There are also a number of diseases that are difficult to treat due to the structural features of the virus or bacteria.
For example, a viral infection that resembles bacteria in structure. Its main feature is that it is difficult to treat. In order to prevent it from provoking the development of serious complications, early diagnosis plays an important role. Taking a smear is the only reliable way to determine this infection at the initial stage of the disease. Based on the analysis, a specialist can easily find the right medicines to help overcome it.
Ways to prevent infections of the genitourinary system
The best way to prevent the development of serious complications from genitourinary infections is to take preventive measures. Despite the fact that taking a smear is not painful, not many people easily agree to this procedure. This is the main reason why men refuse to visit a urologist, since a smear for gonorrhea or microflora is regularly taken during a routine examination.
Due to the possibility of the latent course of the disease, serious complications can develop. In many clinics, this smear is taken for prophylactic purposes to detect the disease at an early stage. But besides this, there is a set of measures that you can do yourself.
Preventive complex
- Compliance with the rules of intimate hygiene;
- Use of hypoallergenic hygiene products;
- Use of barrier-type contraception;
- Timely treatment of urinary tract diseases;
- Avoid hypothermia.
In order to avoid the option of taking a smear to determine the infection, you need to be careful about your health. Compliance with basic hygiene rules reduces the risk of developing many genitourinary infections. If the procedure for collecting a smear cannot be avoided, there is no need to despair. Carrying out this procedure does not cause painful sensations, the main thing is to have a positive attitude.