From the Research
Alpha hemolytic strep in a urine culture is likely a contaminant and not a true urinary tract infection (UTI). No treatment is typically necessary for this finding alone. However, if the patient has symptoms of a UTI (such as frequent urination, burning sensation, or lower abdominal pain), consider repeating the urine culture with a clean catch midstream sample to confirm the result.
Key Points to Consider
- Alpha hemolytic streptococci are part of the normal flora of the skin, mouth, and genital area. Their presence in urine often indicates contamination during sample collection rather than a true infection.
- True UTIs are typically caused by gram-negative bacteria like E. coli, not alpha hemolytic strep.
- If repeat culture shows the same result and the patient is symptomatic, consult with a specialist to determine if treatment is necessary.
- In rare cases where treatment is deemed necessary, penicillin or amoxicillin would be the antibiotics of choice for alpha hemolytic strep, as seen in studies such as 1.
Importance of Clinical Context
Always interpret urine culture results in conjunction with clinical symptoms and urinalysis findings for accurate diagnosis and management. The study by 2 highlights the importance of considering contamination rates in urine cultures, which can be influenced by factors such as specimen handling and patient instruction.
Recent Evidence
A recent study from 1 discusses the involvement of other bacteria in urinary tract infections, emphasizing the need for accurate identification and consideration of less common pathogens. However, this does not change the general approach to alpha hemolytic strep in urine cultures, which remains focused on determining whether the finding represents contamination or a true infection.