6 min read | August 04, 2025

Urinary Tract Infection Tests — what they are and what they mean (or don’t mean)

Written by: Spencer Gordon

There are many available methods for testing for urinary tract infections (UTIs). This is an overview of the current approaches to testing.

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Urinary Tract Infection Tests — what they are and what they mean (or don’t mean)

There are many available methods for testing for urinary tract infections (UTIs). Some are more reliable than others. This is an overview of the current approaches to testing. A positive result in one of these tests may be a good indication that an infection is present. However, it is very important to note that when used individually these tests are not definitive evidence that an infection is not present.

UTI test strips are a quick, easy, and cheap way to test for a UTI at home. If both testing pads are coming up positive, it is very likely a UTI is present.

UTI Test Strips

UTI test strips are a quick, easy, and cheap way to test for a UTI at home. If both testing pads are coming up positive, it is very likely a UTI is present.

Standard urine cultures are the most common way doctors will test for a UTI and attempt to identify the pathogen.

Standard Urine Cultures

Standard urine cultures are the most common way doctors will test for a UTI and attempt to identify the pathogen.

Enhanced Quantitative Urine Cultures can test for a wider range of potential pathogens than standard cultures.

Enhanced Quantitative Urine Culture (EQUC)

Enhanced Quantitative Urine Cultures can test for a wider range of potential pathogens than standard cultures.

Newly introduced to chronic UTI diagnosis, DNA sequencing techniques may identify pathogens that won't show up in cultures as well as UTIs caused by multiple pathogens.

Microgen Testing (DNA Sequencing Techniques)

Newly introduced to chronic UTI diagnosis, DNA sequencing techniques may identify pathogens that won't show up in cultures as well as UTIs caused by multiple pathogens.


Conclusion

References

  1. Little P, Turner S, Rumsby K, Jones R, Warner G, Moore M, Lowes JA, Smith H, Hawke C, Leydon G, Mullee M. Validating the prediction of lower urinary tract infection in primary care: sensitivity and specificity of urinary dipsticks and clinical scores in women. British Journal of General Practice. 2010 Jul; 60(576):495-500.
  2. Heytens S, De Sutter A, Coorevits L, Cools P, Boelens J, Van Simaey L, Christiaens T, Vaneechoutte M, Claeys G. Women with symptoms of a urinary tract infection but a negative urine culture: PCR-based quantification of Escherichia coli suggests infection in most cases. Clinical Microbiology and Infection. 2017 Sep; 23(9):647-652.
  3. Price TK, Dune T, Hilt EE, Thomas-White KJ, Kliethermes S, Brincat C, Brubaker L, Wolfe AJ, Mueller ER, Schreckenberger PC. The Clinical Urine Culture: Enhanced Techniques Improve Detection of Clinically Relevant Microorganisms. J Clin Microbiol. 2016 May; 54(5):1216-22.
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