Is colony count necessary?
Evidence presented herein suggests that: (1) If the Gram stain of the spun urinary sediment is negative, there is no need to do a culture, sensitivity test, and colony count since significant bacteriuria and urinary infection are not present. There are very few false negative results. (2) Since there are many false positive Gram stains, the test is not specific. A positive Gram stain of the spun urinary sediment does not mean that bacteriuria is present. (3) The test is very sensitive in that practically all bacteriuric subjects had a positive Gram stain. (4) Because the Gram stain of the spun urinary sediment is so sensitive, a positive spun urinary sediment and culture should be treated regardless of the colony count.
D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001437:Bacteriuria / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013194:Staining and Labeling