Screening for bacteriuria in patients with spinal cord lesion: dipstick test, microscopic examination and urine culture.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the positive and negative predictive values for bacteriuria of a rapid chemical dipstick procedure for leukocytes and nitrite, and a microscopic examination for leukocytes and bacteria with a urine culture being the reference in patients with spinal cord lesion (SCL).


METHODS
A prospective study. Significant bacteriuria was defined as > or = 10(5) CFU/mL. The microscopic examination for leukocytes was divided in four different cut-off limits for positive results.


METHODS
A total of 256 consecutive early morning urine samples were collected from 143 SCL patients admitted to our in-patient facility.


RESULTS
One hundred and twenty-eight urine cultures revealed significant bacteriuria. Eighty-seven were infected by only one microorganism, 41 samples contained significant growth of more than one species. A total of 186 microorganisms in significant growth were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Three or more leukocytes should be considered as a positive result. The dipstick and microscopy tests are equally valuable, considering the single tests as well as the combinations evaluated.
Faarvang
K L
KL
Centre for Spinal Cord Injured, The Neuroscience Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hornbaek, Denmark.
Müller
P
P
Lomberg
B
B
Biering-Sørensen
F
F
D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001437:Bacteriuria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008403:Mass Screening; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D014556:Urine / Q000166:cytology