When semen culture is requested
It is indicated in leukocytospermia, persistent symptoms from the genital tract, recurrent infections, or a targeted infertility work-up when an infection is suspected.
Interpretation and clinical significance
Interpretation is based on the organism, the CFU/ml count, the antibiogram, and symptoms. Low counts without a matching clinical picture are often contamination.
Likely contamination
A low count with no symptoms and no inflammatory findings.
Borderline finding
Requires correlation with the clinical picture and often repeat testing.
Clinically significant positive
A significant pathogen count with matching symptoms and laboratory findings.
