[Evaluation of a new method (Filtrachek-UTI) for the detection of bacteriuria]

The diagnostic effectiveness of a new test for the detection of bacteriuria (Filtrachek-UTI) was compared with Gram stain and semiquantitative culture in 955 urine samples. 276 of these were from inpatients (108 males and 168 females), and 677 from outpatients (206 males and 471 females). Overall 229 positive cultures were obtained. Taking the sample culture as the standard, the statistical parameters obtained were very low, particularly the sensitivity and the negative predictive value (75-89% sensitivity and 80-91% NPV in inpatients, and 67-92% sensitivity and 79-98% NPV in outpatients). Other problems of the method are the subjective interpretation, choluria or filter obliteration by the urine, high cost and an approximate false negative rate of 16%.