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Alternative names
Culture of urethral discharge; Genital exudate culture; Culture - genital discharge or exudateDefinition Return to top
Urethral discharge culture is a laboratory test performed on males to isolate and identify organisms in the urethra and genital tract that cause infection.How the test is performed Return to top
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.How to prepare for the test Return to top
Do not urinate for 1 hour before the test. Urination will wash away some of the organisms needed to obtain an accurate culture.How the test will feel Return to top
There is usually some discomfort associated with swabbing the urethra.Why the test is performed Return to top
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 Return to top
A negative culture, or no growth appearing in the culture, is normal.What abnormal results mean Return to top
Abnormal results can indicate infection within the genital system. These infections can include gonorrhea or chlamydia.What the risks are Return to top
Fainting (caused by stimulation of the vagal nerve) occasionally occurs when the swab is introduced into the urethra. Other risks include infection or bleeding.Special considerations Return to top
A comparable test for females is an endocervical culture. Update Date: 1/26/2004 Updated by: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |