Can urine culture come negative while the urine analysis is positive?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had acute kidney failure in the past, probably a couple of months ago, from a UTI and lithium toxicity. They cut me off all my medications, and when I got home from the hospital, the hospital gave me two doses of lithium instead of one dose of extended-release, which caused me to have a grand mal seizure. I had another UTI recently (cloudy urine, burning while urinating, nausea, and constant irritation), so the urinalysis came back positive for a UTI, but the culture came back negative? I have seizures where I am fully awake and alert, but I am shaking vigorously, but I can still talk, walk, and think? There called partial seizures. I am worried I might have issues again, but I do not have any symptoms besides my seizures and the UTI symptoms. I am taking antibiotics, Lamictal, Lutera, Intuniv, and Buspar. Please help.

Answer 1

Hi there,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for writing, and I understand your concern. Actually, culture is more accurate than routine microscopic examination of urine. So we can consider it negative; if you do not have any symptoms of UTI (urinary tract infections), then you can stop antibiotics, and further, you need to consult a neurologist for seizures. Actually, kidney failure causes fluid impairment (serum electrolytes) that might cause a seizure. Please answer the following,

1) Do you have any symptoms of UTI currently?

2) Such as a burning sensation while passing urine or frequent urge to pass urine?

Please let me know and send me your blood reports if you have them with you.

Thank you.

Can urine culture come negative while the urine analysis is positive?

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