Urine MCS Test: Definition, Procedure & Alternatives

Microscopy, culture and sensitivity (MCS) is a medical term. It is when people send their microbiological samples to a laboratory. They can test for blood, stool, urine, and sputum. The most commonly requested from clinical labs are urine tests. A urine MCS test is a method of identifying diseases such as urinary tract infections (UTIs). Laboratory or lab technicians take samples of people by letting them collect their urine in a container.

The urinary tract is where the kidneys, ureters, and bladder are. They are responsible for producing, storing, and eliminating urine. An infection may arise in these parts of the body that could then lead to UTI. Untreated UTIs may lead to more serious kidney concerns. Hence, people should get tested when they observe symptoms. To learn more about the test, the following sections will present its definition, procedures, and advantages.

Definition of Urine MCS Test

A urine MCS test is a process where urine samples are taken to analyse for possible diseases. The body contains many bacteria. They are typically harmless in normal situations. They are even helpful at times. However, if doctors think there is an infection, they can request for a test. Specifically, they need a urine sample if they think there is an issue in the urinary tract system of a patient.

What happens next is they will grow a culture out of the sample. There are various culture techniques in microbiology. Their purpose is to evaluate fluids and tissues. The process allows professionals to determine infectious substances in the sample like that of UTI.

Afterwards, they will do a sensitivity test. This is the part where they will know the right treatment for the patient. They will test different kinds of drugs to study their impact on the microorganism. Consequently, they can identify if a drug is suitable for the patient or not.

Signs and Symptoms of UTI

Since UTI is one of the main reasons why a test is necessary, people should know the signs and symptoms so they can get tested. Here are some of them:

• Their urine is only a little each time. They may also get a feeling of not wanting to urinate at times.
• There is pain whenever they urinate.
• Being confused is a common factor for those who have UTIs.
• They feel unwell as they experience fever and nausea.
• The colour and appearance of their urine are far from normal. It may seem cloudy, and it is dark. Also, there may be blood in the urine.

The Procedure of Urine MCS Test

The procedure of a urine MCS test begins with obtaining a kit from a clinic, hospital, or laboratory. It typically has a cup or container to put the sample in. For the collection process for females, they should open the container and hold it using one hand. The other hand should hold the labia. They must let the urine flow through the toilet first before they can take the sample.

For males, they should also hold the container in hand. They should retract their foreskin if they are uncircumcised. Just like for females, they must wait for the first pass of the urine to flow before collecting their specimen. On the other hand, there should be more support when parents are taking samples from their infants. Also, there can be special containers for them.

After taking the sample, people should ensure that they tightly seal the cup. If they think that they are not able to collect the urine properly, they can obtain a new sterile container and try again. They must refrigerate it or submit the sample to the lab as soon as possible.

Guidelines

There are several guidelines to follow for the test. Firstly, people should not collect urine right after they wake up. Moreover, they should not use the first parts of the urine for testing. It should be midstream. Secondly, they must not allow the urine to come into contact with other body parts before it is collected into the container.

Lastly, before or after submitting their sample, people should inform the collector if they took certain forms of medication, like antibiotics, as it may affect the results. Aside from these, they should remember to maintain cleanliness throughout the process to avoid contamination.

Alternatives to Urine MCS Test

A urine MCS test is only one of the urine tests available. People are now aware that it can detect infectious substances in the body. However, it has its limitations. Thus, there are other kinds people can take, and professionals can use. One of which is a pregnancy test. It uses a rapid test to see the results. Women can easily find a kit in pharmacies and drug stores.

Another test is urine cytology. This one is more specific than other tests as it looks at cells in the sample. It helps diagnose cancers. The test also has limitations. Hence, it would not mean that the person is cancer-free if there is no cancerous cell detected. They must do more tests afterwards.

Ethyl sulphate (EtS) urine test is a test that can analyse alcohol presence in the body. EtS is an alcohol metabolite. The test can only be accurate for the first 24 hours. Heavy alcohol drinkers can have substances in their system for up to 80 hours, which the test can detect.

Disadvantages

One disadvantage of the test is it cannot detect alcohol. Hence, people who want to know their Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) can use other methods. Alternative tests include ethanol urine tests, blood alcohol tests, and breath alcohol tests. A breath test is the most cost-effective because it can be used multiple times.

They can buy a reliable breathalyser as it has many benefits. It can help them avoid road accidents due to drink driving, productivity issues in the workplace, and other health concerns. A personal breath tester like BACtrack from Breathalysers Australia has advanced technology to help with accuracy.

Conclusion

People may need to undergo a urine MCS test due to a potential disease. The test is a process where patients collect their urine. They submit it to laboratories to determine if there is an infection or not. It is also when they identify what treatment to use for the patient. It may be an invasive procedure, but it is essential as it is the first step to getting better. There are guidelines to follow to avoid inconveniences.

Unfortunately, unlike other tests, this type of urine test cannot detect alcoholic substances. People typically use a test of this kind to learn about their BAC. Thus, they can opt for other urine test methods. They should not misidentify the urine tests for fewer concerns. They may also acquire a breathalyser. It is useful because they can use it for a long time. However, some devices require calibration for maximum accuracy.