Urethral swab and Stamey test
What is it?
These are two examinations used in the evaluation and detection of the cause of infections of the lower urinary tract.
When is this exam indicated?
In the diagnosis of infections of the lower urinary tract, especially chronic infections, your general practitioner or urologist may sometimes suggest certain diagnostic tests such as urethral swab analysis and Stamey's test [1,2], especially when the first-line culture tests are not sufficient.
[1] Budía A, Luis Palmero J, Broseta E, Tejadillos S, Benedicto A, Queipo JA, et al. Value of semen culture in the diagnosis of chronic bacterial prostatitis: a simplified method. Scand J Urol Nephrol 2006;40:326-31. doi:10.1080/00365590600748247.
[2] Zegarra Montes LZMR, Sanchez Mejia AA, Loza Munarriz CA, Gutierrez EC. Semen and urine culture in the diagnosis of chronic bacterial prostatitis. Int Braz J Urol 2008;34:30-7, discussion 38-40. doi:10.1590/s1677-55382008000100006.
How is it performed?
For the urethral swab execution, it is important that the sampling is performed in the morning, before urination. The procedure itself is simple and involves the insertion of a cotton swab inside the urethra for a couple of centimeters with the subsequent collection of biological material. The material collected is then sent to microbiology, which, through cultural or molecular biological analysis, identifies the specific microorganisms.
The Stamey test, also performed in the morning, is a useful examination to assess whether an infection of the lower urinary tract is ascribed to the urethra (urethritis) or to the prostate (chronic prostatitis). It is performed by taking the first morning urine and, after prostate massage, the prostate secretions[2].
In both cases, the collected samples are sent to the nearest laboratory for analysis to search for pathogens causing urinary tract infections. Their identification is essential in order to guide the physician towards a correct antibiotic therapy setup.
[1] Budía A, Luis Palmero J, Broseta E, Tejadillos S, Benedicto A, Queipo JA, et al. Value of semen culture in the diagnosis of chronic bacterial prostatitis: a simplified method. Scand J Urol Nephrol 2006;40:326-31. doi:10.1080/00365590600748247.
[2] Zegarra Montes LZMR, Sanchez Mejia AA, Loza Munarriz CA, Gutierrez EC. Semen and urine culture in the diagnosis of chronic bacterial prostatitis. Int Braz J Urol 2008;34:30-7, discussion 38-40. doi:10.1590/s1677-55382008000100006.
Where do we treat it?
Are you interested in receiving the treatment?