Contribution of neutrophil activation in the differentiation of urine infection and contamination in pregnant women

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infections are among the most common bacterial infections of humans. Urine culture is the gold standard for asymptomatic bacteriuria and pyuria is not always present in bacteriuria, nor is it specific for bacteriuria. Objective: the aim of the present study was to determine neutrophil activation and the contributions of this activation in the differentiation of infection and contamination. Methods: the serum and urine myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels of 50 pregnant females with symptoms suggesting UTI and 25 healthy non-pregnant control subjects were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and the obtained values were compared with the results of urine microscopy and urine culture. Results: the leukocyte count in urine was significantly higher in group 1 (infection) and group 2 (contamination) when compared with the control group (group 1 mean: 18.2; group 2 mean: 14.2; control mean: 4.8; ANOVA test, p <= 0.00). According to the obtained ELISA values, a statistical difference in the levels of urine MPO between the patient and control groups was seen (p <= 0.00). There was no statistical difference among the groups for serum MPO levels ( p >= 0.451). Conclusion: the study findings suggest that standardized measurement techniques such as dipstick screening assay for urine MPO level may be useful in differentiating infection and contamination, especially in pregnant patients. (C) 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel