AIM: To investigate the positive and negative predictive values for bacteriuria of a rapid chemical dipstick procedure for leukocytes and nitrite, and a microscopic examination for leukocytes and bacteria with a urine culture being the reference in patients with spinal cord lesion (SCL). METHODS: A prospective study. Significant bacteriuria was defined as > or = 10(5) CFU/mL. The microscopic examination for leukocytes was divided in four different cut-off limits for positive results. MATERIAL: A total of 256 consecutive early morning urine samples were collected from 143 SCL patients admitted to our in-patient facility. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-eight urine cultures revealed significant bacteriuria. Eighty-seven were infected by only one microorganism, 41 samples contained significant growth of more than one species. A total of 186 microorganisms in significant growth were identified. CONCLUSION: Three or more leukocytes should be considered as a positive result. The dipstick and microscopy tests are equally valuable, considering the single tests as well as the combinations evaluated.
AIM: To investigate the positive and negative predictive values for bacteriuria of a rapid chemical dipstick procedure for leukocytes and nitrite, and a microscopic examination for leukocytes and bacteria with a urine culture being the reference in patients with spinal cord lesion (SCL). METHODS: A prospective study. Significant bacteriuria was defined as > or = 10(5) CFU/mL. The microscopic examination for leukocytes was divided in four different cut-off limits for positive results. MATERIAL: A total of 256 consecutive early morning urine samples were collected from 143 SCL patients admitted to our in-patient facility. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-eight urine cultures revealed significant bacteriuria. Eighty-seven were infected by only one microorganism, 41 samples contained significant growth of more than one species. A total of 186 microorganisms in significant growth were identified. CONCLUSION: Three or more leukocytes should be considered as a positive result. The dipstick and microscopy tests are equally valuable, considering the single tests as well as the combinations evaluated.
Authors: Denise G Tate; Tracey Wheeler; Giulia I Lane; Martin Forchheimer; Kim D Anderson; Fin Biering-Sorensen; Anne P Cameron; Bruno Gallo Santacruz; Lyn B Jakeman; Michael J Kennelly; Steve Kirshblum; Andrei Krassioukov; Klaus Krogh; M J Mulcahey; Vanessa K Noonan; Gianna M Rodriguez; Ann M Spungen; David Tulsky; Marcel W Post Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2020-03 Impact factor: 1.985