Evaluation of a bioluminescence assay for the detection of bacteriuria.

Bacteriuria defined with urine culture as the reference method was compared with bacterial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) measurements of cystoscopical urine samples from 216 men. Discrepant samples were studied by reculturing and microscopy of the sediment. Results show a good correlation (sensitivity 1.0 and specificity 0.95) between bacteriuria greater than or equal to 10(4) cfu/ml and bacterial ATP greater than 10 nmol/l measured by bioluminescence. Samples with macroscopic hematuria may influence the ATP value and give false positive results.