OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of urine sediment analyzer in the screening of clinically suspected urinary tract infection (UTI) in cancer patients.

METHODSThe results of bacterial count of 1 053 midstream urine samples by UF-1000i urine sediment analyzer (UF-1000i urine sediment analyzer, UF-1000i) were compared with the results of bacterial culture. Moreover, the results of distinguishing bacterial species by the bacterial scattergram were compared with the results of bacteria culture. At the same time, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of UF-1000i analyzer for UTI screening were evaluated.

RESULTSOf all the 1 053 samples, the top three bacteria were E. coli, Enterococci and P. aeruginosa. The top three malignant tumors of UTI were bladder, lung cancer and cervical cancers. The positive rate of UF-1000i analyzer was 20% (211/1 053), and that of bacteria culture was 17.9% (188/1 053). There was statistically no significant difference in the positive rates between the two methods (χ(2)=1.636, P>0.05), and the two methods had a considerable consistency (Kappa=0.756). Compared with the clinical diagnosis, UTI screening by UF-1000i analyzer showed a sensitivity of 79.6% (160/201), specificity of 95.5% (814/852), positive predictive value of 80.8% (160/198) and negative predictive value of 95.2%(814/855). The distribution of cocci and bacilli acquired by the bacterial scattergram was basically in accordance with the results of bacterial culture.

CONCLUSIONSBacterial count by UF-1000i analyzer plays an important role in early screening of UTI, and the bacterial scattergram may help to distinguish bacterial species, providing reference for the use of antibiotics in early medication.