A practical strategy for diagnosis of urinary tract infections

Because urine specimens are not all identical, clinical microbiology laboratories should tailor specimen handling and processing to the specific clinical setting. To quantify uropathogens requires specific ranges that depend on the clinical presentation of a patient and the collection method. A single quantitative breakpoint, for example, the classic "100,000 CFU/mL" cannot be applied to patients with AUS or with indwelling catheters. This article has attempted to review rational adjustments in the traditional urine culture protocol to fit both the clinical setting and the mode of collection.