Latorre C, Noguero M, Miraa A
Servicio de Microbiología. Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Déu. Esplugues. Barcelona.
Med Clin (Barc). 2001 Mar 3;116(8):286-9. doi: 10.1016/s0025-7753(01)71801-5.
Dipstick is used as a first test for screening urinary tract infection.
1087 urine samples from paediatric and adult patients were processed with dipstick and direct microscopic observation of pellet as well as of a Gram stain. A culture was also performed in all of them and was considered as the reference method in order to evaluate all other tests.
Sensitivity of dipstick and of Gram stain was higher in urines from adults than in those from children, but direct examination of pellet was better in paediatrics. Specificity of the three screening tests previous to culture presented few variations in both groups. Predictive positive value of dipstick and direct pellet was slightly better in children's urines; on the contrary, Gram stain was better in adults. Negative predictive value was similar for the three parameters.
The dipstick here evaluated is a good method for screening of urinary tract infection, though its positivity obliges to a bacteriologic follow up in order to get a certainty diagnosis. Nevertheless, in children less than 2 year old we recommend universal urine culture.
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