Assessment of Urine Gram Stain and Urine  Culture in the Diagnosis of Urinary Tract  Infection

Dr G Sucilathangam; Dr G Velvizhi

Volume : III, Issue : II, February - 2014

Assessment of Urine Gram Stain and Urine Culture in the Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infection

Dr G Sucilathangam, Dr G Velvizhi

Abstract :

Urinary tract infection is due to pathogen invasion of urinary tract. It is an important health problem affecting millions in a year. In India, incidence of UTI was 36.3% in hospitalized and 16.5% in non- hospitalized outpatient department. Urine culture is considered to be golden standard diagnostic test for UTI, but there is a substantial delay of 24 to 48 hours in obtaining culture results. Hence patients are treated with empirical therapy. But there is a problem of emergence of drug resistance. Gram stain of urine may be an effective method of ruling out UTI in rural health centre patients, thus saving time and money in impoverished settings. The aim of the study is to assess the diagnostic value of gram stain of uncentrifuged urine and urine culture in diagnosing urinary tract infections.50 patients with UTI symptoms were selected from inpatient and outpatient of the hospital. Diagnosis of UTI was made by urine culture regularly. In this study, urine gram stain and urine culture are done for the diagnosis of UTI. Sensitivity, specificity, Positive predictive value, Negative predictive value are calculated. In comparison with urine culture the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV of urine gram stain is 51%, 46%, 48%, 88% respectively. The above findings suggest that urine gram stain can be used as a diagnostic test for UTI.