Consecutive Urine Specimens Research Articles

An institutional experience evaluating hTERT immunostaining in 100 consecutive ThinPrep urine specimens

Studies have shown that expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in mature urothelial cells indicates an increased risk of urothelial carcinoma. We evaluated the utility of immunocytochemistry with a commercially available anti-hTERT antibody (SCD-A7) in 100 consecutive urine cytology specimens using ThinPrep processing. ThinPrep slides prepared from 100 consecutive urine specimens were stained using anti-hTERT antibody (SCD-A7) after staining optimization had been successfully completed. Patient demographics, cytology diagnoses, histologic follow-up data, and anti-hTERT staining results were recorded. The cytology diagnoses included 7 cases of high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC), 2 cases suspicious for HGUC (SHGUC), 24 cases of atypical urothelial cells (AUCs), and 67 cases negative for HGUC (NHGUC). Of 92 samples, 68 (74%) were positive and 24 (26%) were negative for anti-hTERT staining. Although 31 of 32 specimens (97%) with a diagnosis of AUCs and greater showed positive staining, 37 of 60 NHGUC cases (62%) were also positive for anti-hTERT. Although the HGUC and suspicious for HGUC cases were more likely to show strong staining (6 of 9; 67%), 7 AUC (32%) and 8 NHGUC (22%) cases also demonstrated strong staining. Eight samples (8%) were unsatisfactory for interpretation. Anti-hTERT staining of nonurothelial cells was seen in 77 of 92 samples (84%). Interpretation of anti-hTERT immunocytochemical staining of ThinPrep material is challenging owing to obscuring of nonurothelial cell staining and difficulty discerning individual urothelial cell cytomorphology when the cells are stained. The significance of the large number of anti-hTERT-positive but cytology-negative cases in our study is uncertain.

Evaluation of Forward Laser Light Scatter Technology as a Preculture Screen of Unpreserved Urine Specimens

Abstract Introduction Urine cultures are standard of care for the diagnosis of urinary tract infections. Reflexively culturing specimens only after an effective screening test could minimize the number of samples cultured, improving laboratory efficiency. We evaluated a commercial forward laser light scatter system as a screening tool for urine cultures. Methods One hundred ninety (190) consecutive unpreserved urine specimens were screened by the BacterioScan 216Dx system (BacterioScan) prior to urine culture. Performance characteristics were compared against traditional culture methods. Results Urine specimens from 40 men and 150 women were evaluated. In total, 182 specimens were obtained by clean-catch, 7 by catheter, and 1 via nephrostomy; 134 specimens were negative by urine culture (70%). Fifty-six were positive, with the most commonly identified organism being E coli (35 specimens, 62.5%). Compared to urine culture, forward laser light scatter identified 132 positives and 58 negatives (31%) for a sensitivity of 98%, specificity of 42%, positive predictive value of 42%, negative predictive value of 98%, and an overall accuracy of 59%. Average time from collection to result for light scatter analysis was 25 hours and 28 minutes (95% CI, ±74 minutes) versus 52:37 (±280 minutes) for urine culture (P < .01). Time to negative results was 25:51 (±77 minutes) for light scatter versus 53:17 (±320 minutes) for culture (P < .01). Time to positive results was 26:36 (±66 minutes) versus 51:02 (±146 minutes) for culture (P < .01). Conclusions Time to negative result and assay sensitivity showed an improvement over direct urine culture and could reduce number of cultures by ~30%; however, low positive predictive value and accuracy would lead to reflexive culture in the majority of specimens tested, limiting overall utility. Cost analyses may prove the modest efficiency gains do not outweigh the additional expense.

Detection Times of Carboxylic Acid Metabolites of the Synthetic Cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 in Human Urine.

Over the past years, use of synthetic cannabinoids has become increasingly popular. To draw the right conclusions regarding new intake of these substances in situations of repeated urinary drug testing, knowledge of their elimination rate in urine is essential. We report data from consecutive urine specimens from five subjects after ingestion of synthetic cannabinoids. Urinary concentrations of the carboxylic acid metabolites JWH-018-COOH and JWH-073-COOH were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS-MS) with a limit of quantification of 0.1 ng/mL. In these subjects, specimens remained positive over a period of 20-43 (mean 27) days for JWH-018-COOH and over a period of 11-25 (mean 19) days for JWH-073-COOH. Detection times were shorter for subjects that appeared to have ingested only one, or a few, doses prior to urine collection in the study. Creatinine-normalized concentrations (CN-concentrations) slowly declined throughout the follow-up period in all subjects, suggesting that no new intake had taken place during this period. Mean elimination half-lives in urine were 14.0 (range 4.4-23.8) days for CN-JWH-018-COOH and 9.3 (range 3.6-16.8) days for CN-JWH-073-COOH. These data show that urine specimens could be positive for JWH-018-COOH for more than 6 weeks and JWH-073-COOH for more than 3 weeks after ingestion. However, such long detection periods require a low limit of quantification.

Asymptomatic group B streptococcal bacteriuria among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACTThis study aims to determine the asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy due to GBS and its antimicrobial sensitivity pattern for planning strategy for the management of these cases and also to determine the relationship between asymptomatic bacteriuria and pyuria. A total of 3863 consecutive urine specimens were collected from 3863 pregnant women with asymptomatic bacteriuria attending the obstetrics and gynaecology department of our hospital over a period of two years. Specimens were processed using standard microbiological procedures. All the subjects were evaluated for bacteriuria. The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria due to group B streptococci (GBS) was 82/3863 (2.1%) among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia. Among these, 69/82 patients (84.2%) had clinical and microbiological features consistent with cystitis, versus 13/82 (15.8%) for pyelonephritis. About 51.2% (42/82) of the patients who had urine analysis performed had positive results based on positive urinary leucocyte esterase and pyuria. Disc-diffusion analysis of all 82 GBS isolates showed that they were highly susceptible to Augmentin and linezolid. Screening for bacteriuria in pregnancy and proper treatment must be considered as an essential part of antenatal care in this community. To prevent asymptomatic bacteriuria complications, all pregnant women should be screened at the first antenatal visit. A negative test for pyuria is not a reliable indicator of the absence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women. Further, ongoing surveillance and evaluation of outcomes in pregnancies complicated by GBS bacteriuria is required to optimise maternal and newborn care.

Flow cytometry analysis using sysmex UF-1000i classifies uropathogens based on bacterial, leukocyte, and erythrocyte counts in urine specimens among patients with urinary tract infections.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common bacterial infection. Urine culture is the gold standard for diagnosis, but new techniques, such as flow cytometry analysis (FCA), have been introduced. The aim of the present study was to evaluate FCA characteristics regarding bacteriuria, leukocyturia, and erythrocyturia in relation to cultured uropathogens in specimens from patients with a suspected UTI. We also wanted to evaluate whether the FCA characteristics can identify uropathogens prior to culture. From a prospective study, 1,587 consecutive urine specimens underwent FCA prior to culture during January and February 2012. Outpatients and inpatients (79.6% and 19.4%, respectively) were included, of whom women represented 67.5%. In total, 620 specimens yielded growth, of which Escherichia coli represented 65%, Enterococcus spp. 8%, Klebsiella spp. 7%, and Staphylococcus spp. 5%. For the uropathogens, the outcome of FCA was compared against the results for specimens with E. coli and those with a negative culture. E. coli had high bacterial (median, 17,914/μl), leukocyte (median, 348/μl), and erythrocyte (median, 23/μl) counts. With the exception of Klebsiella spp., the majority of the uropathogens had considerable or significantly lower bacterial counts than that of E. coli. High leukocyte counts were found in specimens with Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and group C streptococci. Elevated erythrocyte counts were found for P. vulgaris, P. aeruginosa, and group C streptococci, as well as for Staphylococcus saprophyticus. In essence, FCA adds new information about the bacterial, leukocyte, and erythrocyte counts in urine specimens for different uropathogens. Based on FCA characteristics, uropathogens can be classified and identified prior to culture. E. coli and Klebsiella spp. have similar FCA characteristics.

Accuracy and risk of malignancy for diagnostic categories in urine cytology at a large tertiary institution.

At a high-volume center, it became necessary to provide benchmarks for the accuracy and risk of malignancy per urine cytology diagnostic category. The additive sensitivity for the determination of the residual risk of disease was calculated with the goal of determining the performance of cytology and optimal triage, including the number of urine samples, before the detection of malignancy in surveillance patients. A 2-year laboratory information system-based search was conducted, and it yielded 587 subjects (695 biopsy and cytology pairs) with histological follow-up. The sensitivity and specificity of cytology for urothelial malignancy, the risk of malignancy per diagnostic category, the additive sensitivity, and the time for conversion from a negative initial cytology result to a positive cytology result were examined. The overall average sensitivity and specificity of cytology were 48.9% and 83.0%, respectively. The additive sensitivity increased with each subsequent cytology and peaked with the third cytology. A median conversion time of 22.2 months from a negative initial cytology result to a positive cytology result and a decline in predictive positive cytology after the fourth cytology were noted. Subcategorization of the atypical category failed to show statistical significance in predicting outcomes of biopsy. Surveillance subjects, as compared to primary subjects, showed a higher sensitivity for the detection of high and low grade cancers. The findings suggest that atypia favoring malignancy is being appropriately flagged. However, further definition of the atypical category is needed to increase specificity with a better qualitative or quantitative morphological algorithm. This study provides a risk of malignancy for each category for benchmarking and clinical triage. The data suggest that follow-up should include at least 4 consecutive urine specimens over a period of 22.2 months.

Abstract MP24: Urinary Potassium Excretion and Risk of Developing Hypertension

Background: Potassium supplementation lowers blood pressure (BP) in randomized controlled trials, but the long-term effect of dietary potassium intake on risk of hypertension has not yet been established. Objective: To examine the association of 24h urinary excretions of potassium, reflecting dietary uptake, with risk of hypertension. Methods: We used data from the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease (PREVEND) study, a prospective, community-based, observational cohort of Dutch men and women aged 28-75 years. Potassium excretion was measured at baseline (1997-98) and during follow-up (2001-03) in two consecutive 24h urine specimens. Risk of hypertension (defined as BP ≥140/90 mmHg, or initiation of BP-lowering drugs) was studied in 5,511 normotensive subjects not using BP-lowering drugs at baseline. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis with time-dependent covariates. Results: Baseline median potassium excretion was 72 mmol/24h (Q1-Q3: 57-85 mmol/24h). During a median follow-up of 7.6 years (Q1-Q3: 5.0-9.3 years), 1172 subjects developed hypertension. We observed a nonlinear association between potassium excretion and risk of hypertension (P=0.005; Figure ). This association was in such a way that the lowest sex-specific tertile of potassium excretion (men: <68 mmol/24h; women: <58 mmol/24h) had an increased risk of hypertension (hazard ratio [HR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.37) after adjustment for age and sex, compared to the upper two tertiles. Further adjustment for body mass index, smoking status, alcohol intake, parental history of hypertension (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.11-1.41), and additionally for 24h urinary excretions of sodium, magnesium, and calcium (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.08-1.40) did not materially affect the association. Conclusions: In this population-based cohort, low potassium excretion was associated with an increased risk of developing hypertension. Figure: Association between 24h urinary potassium excretion and risk of hypertension.

Antibiotic screening of urine culture as a tool for interal quality audit

Microbiologic culture of urine is an important component in the diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTI). However, confounding factors like the patient's current history of antibiotic usage can affect the interpretation of urine culture results. This study was undertaken to find out the occurrence of unreported antibiotic consumption prior to urine culture and its clinical consequences. In this descriptive study conducted from February to August 2013, we tested consecutive urine specimens for the presence of antibiotics with a modified urine antibacterial substance assay (UABA) and compared the results obtained with the accuracy of antibiotic data entry on the accompanying request forms. In addition, the consequences of culturing urine specimens with incomplete antibiotic history received in the laboratory were investigated. Out of 2,040 urine specimens, 721 (35.34 per cent) were UABA positive. Comparison of antibiotic screening of urine with antibiotic data entry from request forms showed 1,299 (63.68 per cent) true-negative, 38 (1.86 per cent) true- positive, 20 (0.98 per cent) false-negative, and 683 (33.48 per cent) false-positive results. The sensitivity and specificity of this test were 65.52 per cent and 65.54 per cent, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 5.27 per cent and 98.48 per cent, respectively. The UABA had a positive diagnostic likelihood ratio of 1.901. This internal audit demonstrates how the accurate history of current antibiotic usage in the request forms impacts the interpretation of urine culture results.

Self assessment of pre, intra and post analytical errors of urine analysis in Clinical Chemistry Laboratory of Alexandria Main University Hospital

Background: Analysis performed in the laboratory is subjected to variance; hence, every clinical laboratory must have adequate procedures to assure quality of the medical results reported. The definition of a total testing process incorporates the three classical phases of performance in laboratory testing: (1) pre analytical, (2) analytical, and (3) post analytical. Each phase when carried out properly plays an important role in preventing laboratory errors. Aim of the Work: The present study aimed at evaluating the performance of the Clinical Chemistry Unit of Alexandria Main University Hospital regarding urinalysis, through identification of the problems related to the total testing process. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 514 consecutive urine specimens that were received at the clinical chemistry laboratory of Alexandria Main University Hospital, during 3 months period from March to June, 2013. Inspection sheets were based upon the integration of the CLSI approved guidelines for urinalysis collection, transportation and preservation, inspection checklist of the CAP, and the review of the literature for similar studies. Results: Regarding the 514 studied request forms for urine analysis, they were found missing some data essential for interpretation of patient test results as recording time of specimen collection and time the specimen received by the lab (11.85%), followed by 462 missing requests and preliminary diagnosis or relevant clinical information (380 requests), which accounted for11.02 and 9.06% errors respectively. The request form was missing other important data as patients' identification, in 29 requests (0.69%), sex in 239 requests (5.7%), age in 208 requests (4.96%), date of specimen collection in 178 (4.24%), tests requested in 30 (0.72%), and authorized physicians' signature in 185 (4.41%). As regards request forms being authorized by a physicians' name or signature, our study showed that almost one third (185) of the request forms of the studied samples, lacked any indication for ordering physician, which accounts for 4.41% of the TTP errors. Also a comparative study was done between the pre analytical errors in the authorized request form and the unauthorized forms, which revealed that there was a high statistical significance difference (P < 0.0001) between the two forms, with errors being much lower in the authorized request forms. In this study the analytical phase showed the least number of errors, 23 errors done in 1970 activities for 514 specimens studied and 0.55% TTP errors. The high frequency in the analytical phase was for error of analysis 0.31% (13 specimens), followed by 6 specimens lost (0.14%), and 4 specimens mixed up (0.10%) out of 514 specimens study sample. Post analytical phase ranks the second in the error frequency in the present study, 487 errors in 1461 activities done for 514 specimens, which account for 11.61% of the TTP errors. As regards studying the post analytical phase, there was no results loss, but also there was no result verification procedure nor age and sex reference ranges in the results report.

Urinary Erythropoietin Concentrations after Early Short-Term Infusion of High-Dose Recombinant Epo for Neuroprotection in Preterm Neonates

Background: High-dose recombinant human erythropoietin (rEpo) has first been administered in clinical trials for neuroprotection in very preterm neonates at high risk of brain injury and in (near-) term neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. However, recent trials in adults raised concerns about the safety of high-dose rEpo for neuro- and cardioprotection. Objectives: To evaluate the putative accumulation or renal leakage of Epo as a function of developmental stage after repetitive early short-term infusion of high-dose rEpo (3 × 3,000 U/kg within 42 h after birth; NCT00413946) for neuroprotection in very preterm infants. Methods: Epo concentrations were measured using the ELISA technique in the first two consecutive urine specimens after each rEpo infusion. Results: Renal Epo excretion was significantly higher in preterm infants with gestational ages <29 weeks than in more mature infants and reached up to 23% of the administered rEpo within 8 h after each infusion. The urinary Epo concentration did not increase after three repetitive infusions of high-dose rEpo. The ratio of urinary Epo to total protein concentrations was the same in infants with gestational ages <29 weeks and in those with gestational ages ≥29 weeks. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the higher renal Epo excretion in more immature infants may be attributed to a higher glomerular filtration leakage due to the lower maturation of the kidneys and argue against saturation kinetics after multiple doses of 3,000 U/kg rEpo. This information should be considered in future trials on the use of rEpo for neuroprotection in neonates.

Combining cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management to enhance their effects in treating cannabis dependence: less can be more, more or less

To evaluate reciprocal enhancement (combining treatments to offset their relative weaknesses) as a strategy to improve cannabis treatment outcomes. Contingency management (CM) with reinforcement for homework completion and session attendance was used as a strategy to enhance cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) via greater exposure to skills training; CBT was used as a strategy to enhance durability of CM with rewards for abstinence. Community-based out-patient treatment program in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. Twelve-week randomized clinical trial of four treatment conditions: CM for abstinence alone or combined with CBT, CBT alone or combined with CM with rewards for CBT session attendance and homework completion. A total of 127 treatment-seeking young adults (84.3% male, 81.1% minority, 93.7% referred by criminal justice system, average age 25.7 years). Weekly urine specimens testing positive for cannabis, days of cannabis use via the time-line follow-back method. Within treatment, reinforcing homework and attendance did not significantly improve CBT outcomes, and the addition of CBT worsened outcomes when added to CM for abstinence (75.5 versus 57.1% cannabis-free urine specimens, F = 2.25, P = 0.02). The CM for abstinence condition had the lowest percentage of cannabis-negative urine specimens and the highest mean number of consecutive cannabis-free urine specimens (3.3, F = 2.33, P = 0.02). Attrition was higher in the CBT alone condition, but random effect regression analyses indicated this condition was associated with the greatest rate of change overall. Cannabis use during the 1-year follow-up increased most rapidly for the two enhanced groups. Combining contingency management and cognitive-behavioural therapy does not appear to improve success rates of treatment for cannabis dependence in clients involved with the criminal justice system.

Contamination rates of different urine collection methods for the diagnosis of urinary tract infections in young children: An observational cohort study

The optimal method for diagnostic collection of urine in children is unclear. National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence recommend specimens taken by clean catch urine (CCU) for identification of urinary tract infection (UTI). We investigated contamination rates for CCU, suprapubic aspiration (SPA), catheter specimen urine (CSU) and bag specimen urine (BSU) collections. Retrospective observational cohort study with review of microbiology data and medical records at a large tertiary children's hospital. We reviewed urine culture growth from consecutive first urine specimens of children aged <2 years, over a 3-month period in 2008. Patient demographics, collection method, location (emergency department, inpatient ward), culture growth, history of UTI, urogenital tract abnormality and antibiotic use were assessed. Contamination rates for collection methods were compared using logistic regression. Urine culture specimens of 599 children (mean age 7.0 months, 54% male) were included. There were 34% CCU, 16% CSU, 14% SPA, 2% BSU and 34% with unknown sample method. Contamination rates were 26% in CCU, 12% in CSU (odds ratio (OR) 0.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.2-0.8) and 1% in SPA (OR 0.03 95% CI 0.0-0.3). Concurrent antibiotics use was associated with a lower contamination rate. Contamination rates were not associated with age, sex, location, history of UTI or urogenital abnormalities. Contamination rates in CCU are much higher than in CSU and SPA samples. Ideally, SPA should be used for microbiological assessment of urine in young children. Collection procedures need to be optimised if CCU is used.

Asymptomatic bacteriuria among the elderly living in the community: Prevalence, risk factors and characteristics

BackgroundAsymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is common among the older persons. Several factors may precipitate ASB, including age-related changes in genitourinary system and comorbid diseases. Unnecessary antibiotic use for ASB could be associated with increased antibiotics resistance. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and related factors of ASB among the elderly living in the community. MethodsIn this study, 625 patients admitted to our geriatric outpatient clinic were enrolled. Comprehensive geriatric and physical assessment, a standardized questionnaire, medical history, and urine and blood sampling were performed. ASB was defined as identical microorganisms isolated from two consecutive urine specimens (≥105 colony-forming units/mL). ResultsMean age of patients was 72.4±5.6 and 394 (63%) were female. The prevalence of ASB was 6.2%. Whereas female gender was associated with ASB, presence of ASB was not associated with age, previous urinary tract infection (UTI), urolithiasis, genitourinary surgery, and/or urinary incontinence. Similarly, diabetes mellitus (DM), obesity, hypertension, and creatinine clearance were not found to be associated with presence of ASB. Laboratory results were similar in the subjects with or without ASB. The most commonly isolated organism was Escherichia coli (66.7%). In addition, while the specificity of leukocyte-esterase and nitrite were high, the sensitivity of both tests was low in the subjects with ASB. ConclusionsThese results indicate that ASB is common and the main risk factor for ASB is female gender among non-institutionalized elderly. E. coli were the most commonly isolated bacterium. Urine dipstick tests seem to be useful in older persons to exclude the presence of bacteriuria.

Antibiotic resistance pattern of community acquired uropathogens at a tertiary care hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan

Background:Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are amongst the most common infections described in outpatients setting.Objectives:A study was conducted to evaluate the uropathogenic bacterial flora and its antimicrobial susceptibility profile among patients presenting to the out-patient clinics of a tertiary care hospital at Jaipur, Rajasthan.Materials and Methods:2012 consecutive urine specimens from symptomatic UTI cases attending to the outpatient clinics were processed in the Microbiology lab. Bacterial isolates obtained were identified using biochemical reactions. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) production was determined by the double disk approximation test and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (formerly NCCLS) confirmatory method.Results:Pathogens were isolated from 346 (17.16%) of the 2012 patients who submitted a urine sample. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated community acquired uropathogen accounting for 61.84% of the total isolates. ESBL production was observed in 23.83% of E. coli strains and 8.69% of Klebsiella strains. With the exception of Nitrofurantoin, resistance to agents commonly used as empiric oral treatments for UTI was quite high.Conclusion:The study revealed E. coli as the predominant bacterial pathogen for the community acquired UTIs in Jaipur, Rajasthan. An increasing trend in the production ESBLs among UTI pathogens in the community was noted. Nitrofurantoin should be used as empirical therapy for primary, uncomplicated UTIs.

An evaluation of the recovery of mycobacteria from urine specimens using the automated Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube system (BACTEC MGIT 960)

The Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT 960) system was evaluated against Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium and the BACTEC 460 TB system for the recovery of mycobacteria from 1393 consecutive urine specimens. The MGIT had a sensitivity of 91.3% [95% confidence interval (CI), 83.2-99.4] when the combination of BACTEC 460 and LJ medium was used as the reference method. The mean time for positivity for MGIT and BACTEC 460 was 19.3 days and 20 days, respectively, while that for LJ medium was 35 days.The incidence of contamination was highest for LJ medium (n=148), followed by MGIT 960 (n=81), and BACTEC 460 had the lowest incidence of contamination (n=50). In conclusion, the isolation of mycobacteria from urine specimens by the MGIT 960 is comparable to that of the BACTEC 460 TB system and solid media.

Effects of different ACE inhibitor combinations on albuminuria: results of the GUARD study

Clinical practice guidelines recommend blockers of the renin-angiotensin system alone or in combination with other agents to reduce blood pressure and albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes. Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, however, may lower blood pressure but not albuminuria in these patients. Here we tested the hypothesis that combining an ACE inhibitor with either a thiazide diuretic or a calcium channel blocker will cause similar reductions in blood pressure and albuminuria in hypertensive type 2 diabetics. We conducted a double blind randomized controlled trial on 332 hypertensive, albuminuric type 2 diabetic patients treated with benazepril with either amlodipine or hydrochlorothiazide for 1 year. The trial employed a non-inferiority design. Both combinations significantly reduced the urinary albumin to creatinine ratio and sitting blood pressure of the entire cohort. The percentage of patients progressing to overt proteinuria was similar for both groups. When we examined patients who had only microalbuminuria and hypertension we found that a larger percentage of the diuretic and ACE inhibitor normalized their albuminuria. We conclude that initial treatment using benzaepril with a diuretic resulted in a greater reduction in albuminuria compared to the group of ACE inhibitor and calcium channel blocker. In contrast, blood pressure reduction, particularly the diastolic component, favored the combination with amilodipine. The dissociation between reductions in blood pressure and albuminuria may be related to factors other than blood pressure.

Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Among the Institutionalized Elderly

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common type of infection among residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs). The presence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among LTCF residents brings challenges to onsite health professionals. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and related factors of aymptomatic bacteriuria among the institutionalized elderly in Taiwan. In 2002, residents of 2 private LTCFs participated in this study. History taking, anthropometric measurements, and urine and blood samplings were performed by experienced research staff. Urine bacterial culture was performed by a standard procedure; subjects with symptoms indicating UTI were excluded. Repeated urine bacterial culture was performed 1 week after screening tests. Bacteriuria was defined as 1 or more organisms isolated from 2 consecutive urine specimens (> or =10(5) CFU [colony-forming units]/mL). Asymptomatic bacteriuria was defined as identical microorganisms isolated from 2 urine culture specimens taken at 1-week intervals from a subject who was free of UTI symptoms. The presence of asymptomatic bacteriuria and its related factors, such as age, sex, nutritional status, and long-term placement of urinary catheter, were evaluated. A total of 64 institutionalized Chinese elderly (mean age, 76.2 +/- 9.1 years; male:female, 48:16) were collected. The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was 57.8% (37/64), and was not associated with age, sex, functional status, long-term foley catheter, or previous UTI history. The most commonly isolated organisms were Escherichia coli (29.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (21.6%), Providentia stuartii (16.2%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13.5%). Moreover, 21.6% of them showed multiple organisms. Nutritional status (body mass index, serum levels of albumin, total cholesterol, total lymphocyte count, and hemoglobin) was similar between subjects with or without bacteriuria (p > 0.05). Asymptomatic bacteriuria is common among Chinese residents in LTCFs. Escherichia coil was the most commonly cultured bacterium. Presence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was not associated with age, sex, functional status, catheter indwelling, previous history of UTI, or nutritional status of residents in LTCFs.

Evaluation of the DRI(R) Oxycodone Immunoassay for the Detection of Oxycodone In Urine

We evaluated the performance of the DRI Oxycodone (DRI-Oxy) enzyme immunoassay for the detection of oxycodone and its primary metabolite, oxymorphone, in urine, by testing 1523 consecutive urine specimens collected from pain management patients. All 1523 specimens were tested with the DRI-Oxy assay at a cut-off of 100 ng/mL and then analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for opiates, including oxycodone and oxymorphone. Approximately 29% (435) of the 1523 specimens yielded positive results by the DRI-Oxy assay. Of these 435 specimens, GC-MS confirmed the presence of oxycodone and/or oxymorphone at >100 ng/mL in 433 specimens, an agreement of 99.5%. In addition to oxycodone and/or oxymorphone, 189 of the 433 positive specimens contained other opiates including codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and morphine. These other opiates were also present in 54% (590/1084) of the oxycodone negative specimens. The DRI-Oxy assay demonstrated no cross-reactivity, yielding negative results, with specimens containing concentrations of codeine, >75,000 ng/mL; hydrocodone, >75,000 ng/mL; hydromorphone, >12,000 ng/mL; and morphine, >163,000 ng/mL. From the presented study, the sensitivity of the DRI-Oxy was 0.991 and the selectivity 0.998. The DRI-Oxy assay provided a highly reliable method for the detection of oxycodone and/or oxymorphone in urine specimens.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor therapy in children with Alport syndrome: effect on urinary albumin, TGF-β, and nitrite excretion

BackgroundAngiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are routinely prescribed to patients with chronic kidney disease because of their known renoprotective effects. We evaluated the effect of short-term therapy with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril, in early Alport syndrome, defined as disease duration less than 10 years and a normal glomerular filtration rate.Methods11 children with early Alport syndrome were investigated. Two consecutive early morning urine specimens were collected at the start of the study for measurement of urinary creatinine, total protein, albumin, TGF-β, and nitrite excretion. Patients were treated with enalapril, ≅ 0.2 mg/kg/day, once a day for 14 days. Two early morning urine specimens were collected on days 13 and 14 of enalapril treatment and two weeks later for measurement of urinary creatinine, total protein, albumin, TGF-β, and nitrite excretion.ResultsPrior to treatment, urinary excretion of transforming growth factor-β and nitrite, the major metabolite of nitric oxide, was within normal limits in all patients. Administration of enalapril for 2 weeks did not alter urinary albumin, transforming growth factor-β, or nitrite excretion.ConclusionThese findings suggest that early Alport syndrome represents a disease involving exclusively intrinsic glomerular barrier dysfunction. At this stage of the illness, there is no evidence of angiotensin II-mediated proteinuria or increased production of transforming growth factor-β and, therefore, routine treatment with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor may not be warranted.

Frequency of isolation of Staphylococcus lugdunensis in consecutive urine cultures and relationship to urinary tract infection.

Recent reports associate Staphylococcus lugdunensis with severe infection in humans. The frequency of this microorganism in urine cultures is unknown. Five hundred isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) were recovered from 4,652 consecutive urine specimens submitted for culture to the Mayo Clinic Microbiology Laboratory. Thirty-one (6%) of 500 isolates of CoNS were identified as S. lugdunensis. In no case was S. lugdunensis isolated in pure culture; 29 (94%) of 31 S. lugdunensis isolates were part of mixed nonpathogenic flora. Medical records were reviewed for 30 of the 31 patients from whom these 31 isolates were isolated. Twenty-one (70%) of the 30 evaluable patients were not treated with antibiotics; the remaining 9 (30%) of 30 patients were treated with antibiotics that may be effective against S. lugdunensis. S. lugdunensis may be an unrecognized yet infrequent cause of urinary tract infection.