A review on Urine Analysis: Decoding Conventional & Recent Techniques in Diagnosing Urinary Tract Infection

Abstract

 Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections worldwide and account for a significant part in diagnosing at clinical microbiology laboratories. This type of infections can be healthcare-associated or community-acquired and affects millions of people every year. Enteric bacteria remain the most frequent cause of UTIs, although the distribution of pathogens that cause UTIs is changing. Different diagnostic procedures are available but a complete urinalysis including physical, chemical, and microscopic examinations and Culture and sensitivity testing can detect UTI. Midstream sterile collection is acceptable in most situations, but the specimen should be examined within 2-4 hours of collection. Cloudy urine and strong odor may be the result of a urinary tract infection. Dipstick urinalysis is convenient, but not for UTI detection. Uncomplicated urinary tract infection, diagnosed by positive leukocyte esterase and nitrite tests, can be treated without culture. Urine culture may not be necessary as part of the evaluation of outpatients with uncomplicated UTIs, but it is necessary for outpatients who have recurrent UTIs, experience treatment failures, or have complicated UTIs, as well as for inpatients who develop UTIs. This review highlights the advantages and disadvantages of the traditional and currently most used detection methods and which would be suitable to be adapted to UTI diagnosis.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.65525/SVUP.9788199565487.2026.81-96