Laboratory techniques for detection of urinary tract infection and assessment of value.

Manual methods for diagnosing urinary tract infection have long been under review, modification, and evaluation; thus, methods of collection and interpretation have been found to require more scrutiny. Various screening procedures include chemical, microscopic, and cultural methods, the latter two being highly reliable. In addition, examples of infections due to anaerobic bacteria and Mycoplasma have been documented, with the accompanying need to consider their role in particular situations. There has also been a need for localizing the infection, which has been accomplished with some useful methods. From the literature it is apparent that the tests all have a portion of patients' results that do not fit the true picture. These must be considered carefully in light of other information.