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Urine culture, prostatic massage (Edmonton/Central/North)
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Test Name:
Urine culture, prostatic massage (Edmonton/Central/North)
Body Source(s):
Fluid - prosthetic
Prostatic massage
Clinical Prerequisite(s):
Provision of relevant clinical information is important to ensure a clinically relevant result

Urine and Prostatic Massage
  • State specimen source - Specify: Prostatic massage
  • State current/proposed antibiotic therapy and start date
  • Provide relevant clinical history.  State symptoms, signs, and risk factors
  • Provide any antimicrobial allergies

To accurately diagnose chronic bacterial prostatitis, the bacterial counts should be at least ten times greater in the prostatic specimens (EPS and VB3) than in the urethral and bladder specimens (VB1 and VB2). However, many patients who have chronic bacterial prostatitis harbor only small numbers of bacteria in the prostate. In these patients, direct culture of the EPS is particularly useful.

Urine MUST be collected BEFORE starting antibiotics

Preferred Collection Device/Tube Type:
Sterile 60 mL plastic container (orange-top).
Comments:

Four containers required

Collection Instructions:

1.

Collect: The first 5-10 mL of voided urine (VB1) is the urethral sample

2.

Collect: The second (midstream) sample of approximately 30 mL. (VB2) is the bladder sample. The patient must stop voiding before the bladder is empty

3.

The prostate is then massaged for about one minute
Collect:  The expressed prostatic secretions (EPS, prostatic sample)

4.

Collect: The patient then voids the 5-10 mL of urine (VB3) immediately after prostatic massage

5.

Label each container accurately, i.e. VB1, VB2, EPS, and VB3

Handling and Storage:
Refrigerate
Handling/Storage Comments:
  • Specimen MUST be refrigerated after collection and transported with an ice pack to prevent inaccurate culture results
  • Submit to laboratory immediately
  • Ensure container does not leak or is cross threaded
Rejection Criteria:
  • Mislabelled or unlabelled specimen/requisition
  • Leaking container
Turnaround Times
See Microbiology Information»

Last Reviewed:
06 May 2023
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