ABSTRACT
2 enzymatic tests: B-glucuronidase and phenylalanine deaminase, were evaluated for screening of E. coli and Proteeae species [Morganella, Proteus and Providencia] in urine samples within 2 hours. A total of 145 urine specimens [from 87 males and 58 females] were examined by the two tests and the results were compared with the conventional semiquantitative culture method. The latter showed E. coli in 51 urine specimens. Of these, 48 urine sediments exhibited B- glucuronidase activity. Proteeae species were isolated from 29 urine samples by the culture method, of which 27 samples showed phenylalanine deaminase positive tests. The remaining 65 urine cultures were either negative or positive for uropathogens but other than E. coli and Proteeae species and none of these cultures showed activity for either B-glucuronidase or phenylalanine deaminase. However, B-glucuronidase test was positive in only one sample in which the culture was negative. The sensitivity and specificity of the B- glucuronidase test were 96% and 85% respectively, whereas, its positive and negative predictive values were 96% and 97% respectively. The phenylalanine deaminase test showed sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 85%, 100%, 95% and 100% respectively. It is concluded from these results that the two tests can be used efficiently, within 2 hours, to detect urinary tract infections caused by E. coli or Proteeae species