A Greeff1, B Jeffery, R C Pattinson. 1. Medical Research Council/Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To establish the effectiveness in an indigent urban population of Uricult Trio as a screening test for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy and in diagnosing urinary tract infections (UTI) in symptomatic pregnant women. Likelihood ratios were established for positive and negative Uricult Trio test results. SUBJECTS: Two populations of patients from the Pretoria region were involved: (i) asymptomatic pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic for the first time or presenting in labour; and (ii) pregnant women with symptoms suggestive of UTI. METHOD: A midstream urine specimen was collected from the two populations of patients, plated onto the Uricult Trio and sent to the laboratory for culture. RESULTS: The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in this population was 23%, and for women with symptoms suggestive of UTI, 29%. The likelihood ratios for a positive test were 1.8 and 1.5 for asymptomatic and symptomatic patients respectively. The likelihood ratios for a negative test were 0.35 and 0.44 for asymptomatic and symptomatic patients respectively. Escherichia coli was the causative agent in 36% of cases. CONCLUSION: Uricult Trio is not effective as a screening test for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy or for diagnosing UTIs in women with symptoms suggestive of infection.
OBJECTIVE: To establish the effectiveness in an indigent urban population of Uricult Trio as a screening test for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy and in diagnosing urinary tract infections (UTI) in symptomatic pregnant women. Likelihood ratios were established for positive and negative Uricult Trio test results. SUBJECTS: Two populations of patients from the Pretoria region were involved: (i) asymptomatic pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic for the first time or presenting in labour; and (ii) pregnant women with symptoms suggestive of UTI. METHOD: A midstream urine specimen was collected from the two populations of patients, plated onto the Uricult Trio and sent to the laboratory for culture. RESULTS: The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in this population was 23%, and for women with symptoms suggestive of UTI, 29%. The likelihood ratios for a positive test were 1.8 and 1.5 for asymptomatic and symptomatic patients respectively. The likelihood ratios for a negative test were 0.35 and 0.44 for asymptomatic and symptomatic patients respectively. Escherichia coli was the causative agent in 36% of cases. CONCLUSION: Uricult Trio is not effective as a screening test for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy or for diagnosing UTIs in women with symptoms suggestive of infection.