Urine microscopy as screening method for bacteriuria.

Fresh urine samples from 90 ambulatory patients with urological disorders were examined for leucocytes by counting the number of WBC/mm3 and per high power field (HPF) in sediment. Bacteria could be cultured in 20 samples, 18 of which contained greater than 8 WBC/mm3. Two (3%) of the 63 samples with less than or equal to 8 WBC/mm3 contained bacteria. Bacteriuria was found in two (3%) of 65 samples containing 0--1 WBC/HPF. Microscopic examination of the sediment might be used for the screening of patients with a high frequency and urgency of micturition for bacteriuria. A normal number of urinary leucocytes (less than or equal to 8/mm3) indicates that no bacteria will be found in culture. Leucocyturia indicates a high probability of bacteriuria.