This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Moffat, C. M. Articles by Burke, J. P. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Moffat, C. M. Articles by Burke, J. P. Agricola Articles by Moffat, C. M. Articles by Burke, J. P.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1974 July; 28(1): 95-99
Copyright © 1974 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Evaluation of Miniature Test for Bacteriuria Using Dehydrated Media and Nitrite Pads

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Utah, and Latter-day Saints Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah 84143

ABSTRACT

A new dip-inoculum method for detecting bacteriuria which utilizes dehydrated media pads and a nitrite pad attached to a small plastic strip was evaluated in hospitalized patients. Discrepant interpretations were made by independent observers in 9.3% of the specimens with > 10⁵ colonies per ml. The media pads failed to support growth of yeast and gave variable results with Staphylococcus epidermidis and non-group D streptococci. False-negative culture results commonly occurred if the patients were receiving antibiotics. The nitrite test occasionally remained positive for brief periods after the elimination of bacteriuria by antibiotics. Conditions and drugs (especially phenazopyridine) which discolor urine interfered with reading both the culture and nitrite tests. Although not suitable for hospital use, or for monitoring therapy, the test strip is probably as reliable as the calibrated loop-streak plate culture for office screening.