Bacteriuria refers to the presence of bacteria in the urine, which may be due to inadequate collection of urine, contamination of the sample or urinary tract infection, and other changes in the urinary test, such as the presence of leukocytes, epithelial cells, may also be observed in these situations. and, in some cases, red blood cells.
The presence of bacteria in the urine is verified by the Type I urine test, which indicates the examination of the presence or absence of these microorganisms. Depending on the result of the urine test, your family doctor, urologist, or gynecologist may indicate appropriate treatment, if necessary, or request further tests.
- Bacteriuria is identified by a type 1 urine test.
- In which.
- When looking at urine under a microscope.
- It is possible to observe whether bacteria are available or not.
- As indicated in the test report:.
In the presence of bacteriuria, the doctor who prescribed the test should evaluate the urine test as a whole, observing any other changes in the report in order to make a diagnosis and start treatment. Generally, when the report indicates the presence of rare bacteria or certain bacteria, this indicates the normal microbiota of the urinary system and is not a cause for concern or initiation of treatment.
Normally in the presence of bacteria in the urine a uroculture is required, especially if the person has symptoms, to identify the species of the bacteria, the number of colonies formed and the resistance and sensitivity profile of the bacteria, this information being important that the doctor recommends the most suitable antibiotic for treatment. Understand how urine culture is done.
The presence of bacteria in the urine should be evaluated at the same time as the result of other urinary test parameters, such as leukocytes, cylinders, red blood cells, pH, odor and urine color. Thus, depending on the result of the type 1 urine test, your doctor may come to a diagnostic conclusion or order more laboratory tests so that you can indicate the most appropriate treatment.
The main causes of bacteriuria are
Contamination of samples is one of the most common causes of bacteria in the urine, especially when several epithelial cells and the absence of leukocytes are observed. This contamination occurs at the time of collection, when the person does not perform good hygiene for collection or neglects the first urine stream. In these cases, in most cases, the bacteria identified are part of the urinary system and do not pose a health risk.
What to do: If no further changes in the blood formula have been identified, the doctor may not take into account the increase in the amount of bacteria, however, in some cases, a new collection may be requested, being important this time to perform the correct hygiene of the intimate area, throw the first spray and take it to the laboratory until 60 minutes after the sample for evaluation.
When it is not sample contamination, the presence of bacteria in the urine, especially when frequent or numerous bacteria are observed, indicates a urinary system infection. In addition to bacteriuria, some or many epithelial cells, as well as several or many leukocytes can be observed depending on the microorganism responsible for the infection and its quantity.
What to do: Treatment with antibiotics for urinary tract infections is usually only indicated when the person has symptoms related to the infection, such as pain or burns when urinating, urine with blood, or feeling heavi in the bladder, for example. In these cases, the family doctor, urologist or gynecologist may recommend the use of antibiotics based on the bacteria identified and their sensitivity profile.
However, when no symptoms are observed, antibiotic use is generally not indicated, as they can induce bacterial resistance and complicate treatment.
Learn how to recognize and avoid the symptoms of a urinary tract infection.
Although this is rare, it is possible that bacteria can be found in your urine in systemic tuberculosis, and therefore your doctor may order a urine test to look for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the urine is usually searched only to monitor the patient and response to treatment, and diagnosis is made by examining the sputum or testing the tuber, known as PPD. Understand how TB is diagnosed.
What to do: When bacteria are checked in the TB patient’s urine, the doctor should evaluate whether the treatment is being performed correctly or if the bacteria has become resistant to the indicated drug, which may indicate a change in the antibiotic. therapeutic regimen. TB treatment is done with antibiotics and should be continued even if the person no longer has symptoms, as not all bacteria have been eliminated.