Simple microbiological method for the identification of antimicrobial agents prescribed in general practice.

A simple microbiological method to identify antimicrobial agents in urine is described. Of 1,514 consecutive urine specimens received from general practitioners, 302 (19.94%) contained antimicrobial activity. The antibacterial agent was identified confidently in 284 of these. Surprisingly, 83 (5.48%) urine specimens contained an antimicrobial substance not usually used in the treatment of urinary tract infection.