Comparative analysis of bacteriuria results on routine urinalysis and urine culture: a retrospective study

Abstract

Bacterial urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most frequent infectious diseases of small animals. Although antimicrobial therapy is recommended for treating bacterial UTIs, the current consensus is that treatment may not be necessary for asymptomatic animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic ability of urinalysis to detect bacteriuria and to compare it with urine culture (gold standard method) to assess the risk of false-positive results. A retrospective study was conducted from January 2016 to July 2019 and urine samples of 119 dogs were analyzed. Diagnostic validation was performed for urinalysis, based on the morphological classification and intensity of bacteriuria. Agreement between the results was assessed using the kappa (k) index. When the presence of cocci was used as a diagnostic criterion to suggest bacteriuria, it was observed that the agreement (k = -0.006) was lower than that expected by chance. However, a poor agreement (k = 0.22) was also found for bacilli during urinalysis (k = 0.23). A significant degree of agreement was observed in cases with high intensity of bacteriuria. Therefore, urine culture must be performed for conclusive evidence of bacteriuria to avoid false-positive results during urinalysis.

Analytical performance evaluation of two automated urine sediment analysers using two levels of commercially available quality control material

“…2019, Monteiro et al . 2021, Oyaert et al . 2022) Quality control material level 1, the normal control with fewer urine constituents, generated fewer errors and more true values; though, a couple of instruments reported repeated erroneous results and the need for maintenance or replacement was identified.…”

“…Although multiple studies have evaluated automated urine sediment analysers designed for human samples, to date only a few studies have evaluated the accuracy of a urine sediment analyser in the veterinary setting or reported the sensitivity and specificity of Analyzer S for specific cellular and formed elements when compared with manual microscopy (Ince et al 2016, Laiwejpithaya et al 2018, Hernandez et al 2019, Yalcinkaya et al 2019, Vasilatis et al 2021, Blanco et al 2022, Seigner et al 2022. Instrument manufacturers provide minimal quality specifications and an independent investigation evaluating in-clinic automated urine sediment analysers using quality specifications has not been published (Lepage et al 2006, Lem & Rosenfeld 2018.…”

All about urine: Longitudinal examination of urine pH, specific gravity, proteins, culture, and resistance profiles in healthy dogs

“…diabetes), infection, stone formation or other health conditions. 1,[3][4][5] While reference intervals for most of these urine properties are well established, the scope and degree of variation within a heathy dog over time are less well defined. Urine pH, for example, influences urinary tract infection (UTI) and stone formation risk in dogs and can also be monitored to assess response to diets designed to prevent stone formation.…”

Longitudinal examination of urine pH, specific gravity, protein, culture, and antimicrobial resistance profiles in healthy dogs

“…Urine can also be cultured and urine sediments evaluated for red and white blood cells, epithelial cells, and bacteria. Urinalysis aids in screening asymptomatic animals, and provides critical information for diagnostic evaluations of kidney damage, metabolic diseases (eg, diabetes), infection, stone formation, or other health conditions 1,3‐5 . Whereas reference intervals for most of these urine properties are well established, the scope and degree of variation within a healthy dog over time are less well defined.…”