[Demonstration of antibody-coated bacteria in the urine of pregnant women].

Urinary sediments of 64 pregnant women with significant bacteriuria which has been demonstrated several times before, have been investigated for the presence of antibody coated bacteria. Antibody titers were determined in the corresponding serum samples in addition and the results were compared with the clinical diagnosis. In 50% of pregnant women with pyelonephritis antibody coated bacteria could be demonstrated, while 60% of them had elevated serum titers. Taking into account both results in 80% of the pregnant women the clinical diagnosis of pyelonephritis could be confirmed. Pregnant women with asymptomatically significant bacteriuria never gave positive results, whereas pregnant women with cystitis mainly did have negative results. The demonstration of antibody coated bacteria in the urinary sediments of pregnant women with significant bacteriuria as well as the detection of elevated serum antibody titers with the indirect immunofluorescence technique against the urinary strain were found to be of importance for the valuation of a significant bacteriuria.