Urinalysis and Body Fluids 6th Edition by Majorie DiLorenzo, Susan Strasinger

Exercise 78

Screening tests for urinary infection combine the leukocyte esterase test with the test for:

A. pH

B. Nitrite

C. Protein

D. Blood

Step 1 of 2

Increased leukocytes in urine indicates the urinary tract infection because leukocytes are immune bodies accumulate when there is infection in the body.

• Women have increased leukocytes than men due to contamination of vagina.

• Leukocyte esterase (LE) test detects eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils which are immune cells responsible for fighting against infections.

• Nitrite test is done to screen bacteriuria for detecting urinary tract infection particularly in bladder.

• Positive LE and nitrite test is associated with presence of bacteria in urine.

Therefore, urinary infection detection can be done by combining leukocyte esterase test with “nitrite test”. Hence, the correct answer is option.