Detection of bacteriuria by bioluminescence: effect of pre‐analysis centrifugation of specimens

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Abstract
Nichols, W.W., Curtis, G.D.W. & Johnston, H.H. 1984. Detection of bacteriuria by bioluminescence: effect of pre‐analysis centrifugation of specimens. Journal of Applied Bacteriology56, 247–257.Three bioluminescence‐based, rapid methods of detecting significant bacteriuria were applied in parallel to 514 urine specimens. The results were compared with those of a quantitative pour plate viable count method, defined as positive if ≥ 105 c.f.u./ml of urine were observed. When adjusted to yield 21% falsely positive results the three rapid methods yielded 24%, 21% and 19% falsely negative results. If specimens with evidence of urethral or vaginal contamination were excluded (237 specimens remaining) the three methods yielded respectively 14%, 8% and 13% falsely negative results. A major source of disagreement between the bioluminescence‐based methods and quantitative culture thus appeared to be contaminated urine specimens.