What does it mean when nitrite is positive in urine?

What does it mean when nitrite is positive in urine?

Normal urine contains chemicals called nitrates. If bacteria enter the urinary tract, nitrates can turn into different, similarly named chemicals called nitrites. Nitrites in urine may be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are one of the most common types of infections, especially in women.

What antibiotics treat nitrite positive UTI?

We recommend the use of nitrofurantoin or cephalexin in the treatment of cystitis. If LE is negative, nitrofurantoin is preferable to cephalexin. Second or third generation cephalosporins are appropriate antibiotics in the management of complicated UTI or when pyelonephritis is highly suspected.

Can a urine test detect the presence of nitrites?

A urinalysis, also called a urine test, can detect the presence of nitrites in the urine. Normal urine contains chemicals called nitrates. If bacteria enter the urinary tract, nitrates can turn into different, similarly named chemicals called nitrites. Nitrites in urine may be a sign…

Can a UTI be caused by nitrates in urine?

If bacteria enter the urinary tract, nitrates can turn into different, similarly named chemicals called nitrites. Nitrites in urine may be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are one of the most common types of infections, especially in women.

What can cause a false positive nitrite reading?

False Positive. It is also possible to have a false positive reading if the urine is not yet tested right away. If the urine sample is maintained at room temperature, it will be contaminated by bacteria and this will give a false positive nitrite reading.

How is nitrite used to diagnose cystitis?

Objectives: The bacteriostatic gas nitric oxide (NO) is formed when nitrite is acidified. Infected urine may contain considerable amounts of nitrite as a result of bacterial nitrate reductase activity, and detection of nitrite in urine is routinely used in the diagnosis of bacterial cystitis.

About the Author

You may also like these