Detection of urogenital pathogens in sterile pyuria samples by polymerase chain reaction

Background Patients with sterile pyuria may be infected with sexually transmitted diseases or have renal tuberculosis. This study investigated the possibility of detecting sexually transmitted diseases and Mycobacterial tuberculosis in sterile pyuria samples with polymerase chain reaction. Methods Forty-four day-3 negative urine culture samples were investigated for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases and Mycobacterial tuberculosis. Results Among the 44 samples, 61.4% were positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for bacterial DNA (either sexually transmitted diseases or Mycobacteria). Among the 27 positive samples, 37% were positive for Ureaplasma urealyticum , 26% were positive for Chlamydia trachomatis , 14.8% were positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae , 11.1% were positive for Mycoplasma genitalium , 7.4% were positive for Mycoplasma hominis , and only one sample (3.7%) was positive for Mycobacterial tuberculosis . No significant associations were found between PCR-positive urine samples and patient characteristics. Conclusions It was concluded that Ureaplasma urealyticum was predominant in sterile pyuria followed by Chlamydia trachomatis . There were no significant associations between PCR-positive samples and sex, symptomatic patients, or antibiotic use. PCR is an instant diagnostic tool for sexually transmitted diseases in sterile pyuria; hence, it is advised to be performed on negative culture samples as a routine laboratory screening test whenever possible.