Reliability of the Bacturcult system in the clinical evaluation of postpartum bacteriuria.

The reliability of the Bacturcult system versus the standard calibrated loop-direct streak technic for screening bacteriuria was determined for 182 postpartum patients. Both false negative and false positive results were obtained by the Bacturcult system, therefore precluding its usefulness as a screening method. Based on these findings, therapy should not be instituted prior to performance of the standard culture technic.