[A flowchart is always useful: application to the interpretation of the cytobacteriological examination of urine].

The cytobacteriological examination of urine (CBEU) is the most prescribed test in a microbiology laboratory. The objectives of this work were to present our experience in carrying out the CBEU and to share one of the means that we consider very useful in the daily practice of this crucial analysis. This is a 28-month prospective study (March 2016 to June 2018). The CBEU was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the medical microbiology referential (REMIC). Antibiotic susceptibility was studied in accordance with the recommendations of the l'European committee on antimicrobial susceptibility testing (EUCAST). Cultures were positive for urinary tract infection in 5.09% (n=769) of cases and for colonization in 4.88% (n=737) of cases. E. coli alone accounted for 57.8% (n=850) of all isolates. In our experience, the display of the interpretation flowchart at the bench level, as well as the availability of clinical information and cytology results when examining urocultures, allows our technicians to decide, independently, what action to take for each CBEU according to the particular context of the patient for whom it has been prescribed. Similarly, this flowchart allows the unique microbiologist in the laboratory to contextually interpret each CBEU.