Rapid screening of urine for bacteria and cells by using a catalase reagent

Five hundred urine samples were tested for cells and bacteria by using a commercial dipstick, a catalase screening device, standard culturing, and chamber counts. The sensitivities of the catalase test were 83% for all samples and 97.6% for specimens containing significant numbers of leukocytes and bacteria. The catalase screening test is simple to perform and should prove useful for the detection of urinary tract infections.