Objective:
Evaluate sensitivity and specificity of nitrite test to urine culture(gold standard) for
diagnosing urinary tract infection in patients with sickle cell anemia with urinary
symptoms and signs.
Methods:
The study sample included 79 chi
ldren aged 2 to 14 years with SCA presenting with
fever (temperature >38°C),abdominal pain, urgency, dysuria or increased urinary
frequency who referral to the general pediatric clinic and the children's ambulance
department in Tishreen University Hospital in Lattakia during( 2016-2017).
Midstream urine specimen was collected from children. Samples were subjected to nitrite
test, culture and sensitivity.
Results :
There was significant bacteriuria in 17 (21.5%) children with SCA. A positive test
for nitrite was obtained in 12 of the 17(70.5%) children. The nitrite test has a specificity of
95.2% in detecting bacteriuria, a sensitivity of 70.6%, a positive predictive value of 80%
and a negative predictive value of 92%. A positive nitrite test was significantly associated
with bacteriuria, while a negative test was also significantly associated with an absence of
bacteriuria.
