Clinical value of sensitivity determinations in treating urinary tract infections.

The results of bacterial susceptibility testing in 2,413 urine specimens obtained from patients with urinary tract infections indicated that in a high percentage clinical response could be predicted without the need for antimicrobial sensitivity testing. Simply identifying the infecting organism will provide the clinician with enough information to treat most urinary tract infections intelligently. The relative effectiveness of antimicrobial agents to enable the proper selection of therapy in patients with urinary tract infections is discussed.