Detection of neutrophilocytes and NO2-producing bacteria in urine by dipstick BM-test-9

A prospective study compared the detection of leucocytes and bacteria in urine with the dipstick test (presence of esterases in granulocytes and nitrite) to chamber counting of urine, microscopic examination of the urinary sediment, and urine culture. Examined were 174 urine specimens. The dipstick esterase test and the sediment count were almost equally sensitive in detecting leucocyturia. Using chamber count and a cut-off point of 10 or more leucocytes per cubic millimeter as denoting significant leucocyturia, the esterase test gave a predictive value for negative test (PV neg) of 75% and a predictive value for positive test (PV pos) of 96%. PV neg of the dipstick nitrite test was 78% and PV pos 100% in detecting bacteriuria (10(5) bacteria per milliliter). Combining the esterase test with the nitrite test did not increase PV neg. Our result was that the dipstick test seems to be a simple screening procedure for leucocyturia and bacteriuria. The test is suggested to replace the time-consuming microscopic examinations of urine for leucocytes. When the nitrite test is positive, routine urine culture may be omitted.