Evaluation of leukocyte esterase activity as a rapid screening technique for bacteriuria

Abstract

Microscopy and leukocyte esterase activity, both employed as screening techniques for urine cultures, were evaluated with respect to 2 distinct populations, male and female. When 424 urine specimens from males were examined, 95% of the Gram-stained smears and 91% of the leukocyte esterase tests correctly correlated with culture results, indicating significant bacteriuria. There were no statistical differences between these 2 screening procedures. There were no significant differences between the Gram stain and leukocyte esterase activity in predicting a negative culture: 99% and 98%, respectively. Neither microscopy nor esterase activity proved as sensitive or as efficient in predicting a negative culture with the female population.