Diagnosis of asymptomatic urinary infections in pregnant women by detection of leukocyte esterase
Paillet, L.; Thoumsin, H.; Lambotte, R.
Revue Medicale de Liege 45(11): 545-549
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0370-629X PMID: 2267457 Document Number: 350444
Asymptomatic urinary infection was systematically studied in pregnant women using the Griess reaction or nitrite test for identification of bacteriuria; however, the sensitivity of this method has been placed in doubt. In 459 samples taken from 326 pregnant women, the combination of the nitrite test and leukocyte-esterase test for identifying pyuria doubled the sensitivity of the method (58%). This result is obtained at the price of reduced specificity (74%), and control tests necessary for eliminating false positive results lead to a modest increase in cost. Dipsticks combining nitrite and leukocyte-esterase constitute the method of choice for systematic detection.