Pyuria ≠ Urinary Tract Infection

Which patient does NOT need antibiotics for a suspected UTI?

1. with dysuria and pyuria
2. with abdominal pain and NO pyuria
3. with pyuria, E. coli in a urine culture and no urinary symptoms

Answer choices:

1.
2.
3.
2. + 3.

How did others respond?

Reveal the answer

Best Answer

👵🏿 + 👵🏻

Explanation: The absence of pyuria strongly argues against a UTI in 👵🏿. Presence of pyuria in asymptomatic bacteriuria is NOT an indication for antibiotics in 👵🏻.

The presence of pyuria alone does NOT equal a UTI. There are many non-infectious causes of pyuria.

Pyuria can be used to help rule out a UTI, but its presence should be corroborated with symptoms such as dysuria to make a UTI diagnosis and avoid treating asymptomatic bacteriuria.