[Use of rapid electrochemical methods for detection of bacteriuria in kidney transplant patients]

A total of 1299 urine samples from kidney-transplant patients were tested for bacteriuria using the electrochemical rapid procedure. For germ counts of more than 10(5)/ml the registration rate was 97.6% after incubation for 1 hour and 100% after 2 h, providing the patients were not under the influence of antibiotics at the time of examination. Bacteria inhibitors in the urine delayed the reaction so that an incubation period of 2-3 hours was necessary. The electrochemical rapid procedure proved to be unsuitable in cases where small quantities of germs are expected to be discharged.