Abstract |
A rapid and accurate ward-based method of diagnosing urinary infection would be of value in determining the prescription of antibiotics in pre-operative urological patients. This study describes the sensitivity and specificity of a screening technique based on commercially available reagent strips in the diagnosis of urinary infection. A total of 222 pre-operative samples and 83 post-operative samples was studied to compare the results of formal urine culture and reagent strips. Using a definition of a positive nitrite or a positive leucocyte esterase on the reagent strips as being suggestive of infection, it was found that the strips had a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 85% compared with formal culture in pre-operative samples. The results from post-operative samples were less satisfactory, the strips having a sensitivity of only 71% and specificity of 55%. The strips were insensitive but specific in the identification of pyuria in pre-operative specimens. These results suggest that reagent strips can be used as a ward-based method to identify men at risk of infection before urological procedures, and may allow selectivity in the use of peri-operative antibiotics.
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Authors | S J Mills, M Ford, F K Gould, S Burton, D E Neal |
Journal | British journal of urology
(Br J Urol)
Vol. 70
Issue 3
Pg. 314-7
(Sep 1992)
ISSN: 0007-1331 [Print] England |
PMID | 1422691
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Bacteriological Techniques
(standards)
- Bacteriuria
(diagnosis, urine)
- Female
- Hospitalization
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Reagent Strips
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Urinary Tract Infections
(diagnosis, urine)
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