What does “sensitivities” mean on a culture result?

It shows which antibiotics the bacteria are sensitive to and which they are resistant to. NICE advises changing antibiotics if the bacteria are resistant and symptoms are not improving.

Should I wait for the result before starting antibiotics?

No, not if a doctor has advised you to start them. Give your sample first if you can, but do not delay treatment, and your GP can change the antibiotic once the result is back if needed.

What does “mixed growth” mean?

It usually means the sample was contaminated with bacteria from the skin, or took too long to reach the lab. If you still have symptoms, a repeat sample is often needed.

Culture & Sensitivities Test at Jace Medical

Urine, stool & swab tests

Private test

Culture & Sensitivities Test

Grows any bacteria in a urine or swab sample to identify infection and which antibiotics will work.

1 biomarker
No fasting needed

£119Includes sample collection

Book this test Ask a question

We confirm your appointment and any preparation, such as fasting, before you attend.

What’s included

1 biomarker in this test.

No fasting needed

Infections1

Swab, urine or blood samples checked for infection.

Culture & Sensitivities

About this test

Is the Culture & Sensitivities Test right for you?

Who it’s for

You have symptoms of a urine infection and want to know which bacteria are causing it and which antibiotics should work.
You keep getting urine infections, or your symptoms have not cleared after antibiotics.
You are in a group where NICE recommends sending urine for culture, such as men with urine infection symptoms, and want the result to share with your GP.
Your clinician has taken a swab from an infected area and wants to know which bacteria are growing and which antibiotics would work against them.

What it can show

The laboratory tries to grow bacteria from your urine or swab sample. If bacteria grow, the report names them and shows whether the amount is significant.
Sensitivity testing shows which antibiotics the bacteria are sensitive to and which they are resistant to. This helps your GP choose an antibiotic that will work, or change one that is not working.

What it can’t tell you

Antibiotics taken before the sample was collected can stop bacteria growing and give a falsely negative result.
A “mixed growth” result often means the sample was contaminated by skin bacteria or delayed on its way to the lab, and the test may need repeating.
Bacteria in the urine without symptoms are common in older adults and usually do not need treatment, so results are read alongside your symptoms.
Culture looks for bacteria. It does not look for viruses or for infections that need a different kind of test.
We provide the test and doctor-reviewed results. Antibiotics and other treatment are prescribed by your GP or specialist.

How it works

From booking to results in three steps.

Step 1
Request your test
Send a booking request online or call us. We confirm your clinic, appointment time and any preparation.
Step 2
Visit the clinic
A short appointment for professional sample collection at Greysteel or Letterkenny. No GP referral needed.
Step 3
Receive your results
Usually within a couple of working days, emailed to you once a doctor has reviewed them.

Common questions

Questions about this test.

Urinalysis checks your urine for signs of infection, such as nitrite and white blood cells. Culture grows any bacteria in the lab so they can be identified and tested against antibiotics.