India ink immune method for the study of antibody-coated urinary bacteria.

The sediments of 373 urines were studied for antibody-coated bacteria by the India ink immune method. Positive results were obtained in 14.7 per cent of upper urinary tract infections, 18.9 per c nt of lower urinary tract infections, 29 per cent of bacteriuria, and 15.2 per cent in healthy girls. Since antibody-coated bacteria could find their way into negative urines only by contamination, 296 vulvar secretions were also examined. Positive results were obtained in 15.5 per cent of girls with urinary tract infections, 63.9 per cent of those with vulvitis and 24.1 per cent in girls with no infection. It is concluded from the results that the presence or absence of antibody-coated bacteria in the urine is unrelated to the site of urinary infection.