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.
Bacterial pathogens associated with urinary tract infection were
studied. The study examined 120 urine samples taken from the middle
of the urinary flow of patients with symptoms of urinary tract infection.
