What does it mean when you test positive for leukocytes and negative for nitrite and bacteria?

What does it mean when you test positive for leukocytes and negative for nitrite and bacteria?

coli bacteria are most commonly associated with nitrites in the urine. Having leukocytes in the urine without nitrites can also lead to a false-positive result that points to a bacterial infection when there is none. The pathologist or technician will carry out further testing to confirm the presence of an infection.

What does it mean when leukocytes are trace in urine?

Leukocyte esterase is a screening test used to detect a substance that suggests there are white blood cells in the urine. This may mean you have a urinary tract infection. If this test is positive, the urine should be examined under a microscope for white blood cells and other signs that point to an infection.

Should I be concerned about trace leukocytes in urine?

If your doctor tests your urine and finds too many leukocytes, it could be a sign of infection. Leukocytes are white blood cells that help your body fight germs. When you have more of these than usual in your urine, it’s often a sign of a problem somewhere in your urinary tract.

What does it mean to have leukocytes in urine but no infection?

It is possible to have white blood cells in the urine without a bacterial infection. Sterile pyuria refers to the persistent presence of white blood cells in the urine when no bacteria are found to be present by laboratory examination.

Can you have a UTI with negative nitrites?

A negative nitrite test does not rule out a UTI, but a positive one strongly suggests infection. Infection with non-nitrate-reducing organisms will result in a negative nitrite test.

Can BV cause leukocytes in urine?

Although BV has traditionally been considered a non-inflammatory syndrome without an association with increased vaginal leucorrhoea,4 several studies have demonstrated the presence of vaginal leucocytes (white blood cells, WBCs)4–8 in women with bacterial vaginosis.

Can inflammation cause leukocytes in urine?

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an auto-immune disease, which means it’s a condition where the immune cells attack the body, causing joint, skin, eye and kidney inflammation. In the presence of this disease, urine testing will often show high levels of leukocytes.

Can you have a UTI without bacteria?

Nearly one-quarter of women who had signs of a urinary tract infection — a burning feeling when urinating or feeling an urgent need to pee — had no evidence of bacteria in their urine or in their bladders, the study found.

Which is more indicative of UTI leukocytes or nitrites?

Nitrite test was more specific (87%) than leukocyte esterase test (54%) or both tests taken together (50%). The predictive value of nitrite and leukocyte esterase together for a negative urine culture was 95%.

Are UTI test strips accurate?

When performed in a clinical setting, a UTI test is highly accurate. By testing for a combination of blood cells and bacteria, a lab test is able to isolate sure signs of a UTI.

What can mimic a UTI infection?

There are several conditions whose symptoms mimic UTIs. Sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea, chlamydia, and mycoplasma) cause symptoms also common in UTIs, such as painful urination and discharge.

Can you have a negative urine culture and still have an infection?

If your urine culture shows you don’t have a UTI, you’ll need further testing to find out the cause of your symptoms.” In rare cases, a person with symptoms similar to a UTI, but with repeated negative cultures (meaning they don’t show a bacterial infection) may in fact have bladder cancer.

Can you have a UTI without nitrites?

However, even if no nitrites are found, you still may have an infection, because bacteria don’t always change nitrates into nitrites. If you have symptoms of a UTI, your health care provider will also look at other results of your urinalysis, especially the white blood cell count.