Antibacterial Screening of Urine Culture using Urine Antibacterial Substance Assay (UABA)

Abstract

Presence of antibacterial activity in urine will reduce the bacterial load in culture plate, leading to “Insignificant Bacteriuria” as a false positive result. UABA (Urine antibacterial substance assay) is therefore performed to make accurate findings.The aim of the study was to check for the antibacterial activity of urine samples obtained from patients in a tertiary care hospital. Total of 100 urine samples were collected and preliminary tests were performed. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay with the urine samples against the ATCC strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Zone formation was compared with the growth in the urine culture plate and the corresponding patients antibiotic history. The findings were, out of 100 samples 23 samples were true positive and 50 samples were true negative, 35 samples were UABA positive with culture negativity 8 samples were UABA positive and culture positive. Sensitivity and specificity of the test was found to be 76.66% and 71.42% respectively. This study helps in understanding the importance of performing urine culture and sensitivity testing before starting the antibiotic therapy. False negative results can be reduced to promote flawless diagnosis and speedy recovery.