Detection of urogenital pathogens in sterile pyuria samples by polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

Background Patients with sterile pyuria may be infected with sexually transmitted diseases or have renal tuberculosis. This study investigated the possibility of detecting sexually transmitted diseases and Mycobacterialtuberculosis in sterile pyuria samples with polymerase chain reaction. Methods Forty-four day-3 negative urine culture samples were investigated for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases and Mycobacterialtuberculosis. Results Among the 44 samples, 61.4% were positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for bacterial DNA (either sexually transmitted diseases or Mycobacteria). Among the 27 positive samples, 37% were positive for Ureaplasmaurealyticum, 26% were positive for Chlamydiatrachomatis, 14.8% were positive for Neisseriagonorrhoeae, 11.1% were positive for Mycoplasmagenitalium, 7.4% were positive for Mycoplasmahominis, and only one sample (3.7%) was positive for Mycobacterialtuberculosis. No significant associations were found between PCR-positive urine samples and patient characteristics. Conclusions It was concluded that Ureaplasmaurealyticum was predominant in sterile pyuria followed by Chlamydiatrachomatis. There were no significant associations between PCR-positive samples and sex, symptomatic patients, or antibiotic use. PCR is an instant diagnostic tool for sexually transmitted diseases in sterile pyuria; hence, it is advised to be performed on negative culture samples as a routine laboratory screening test whenever possible.