[Laboratory diagnosis in suspected infections of the urinary tract].

Rules for diagnostic procedure in patients with urinary tract infections are presented: the different indications for the investigation, the optimal specimen and the different laboratory methods. At this point the value of the determination of infection markers is investigated. Relating to our own experience we propose a stepwise diagnostic procedure. Different constellations of results for infection markers, quantitative bacteriological findings and the detection of antibacterial activity are discussed. Antibiotic therapy for uncomplicated urinary tract infections and for complicated cases are presented briefly.