ABSTRACT
Introduction: Studies have reported a correlation between anegative nitrite on urine analysis and resistance tocephalosporin in urine cultured isolate in cases of UTI. Nitritenegativity has therefore been suggested as an aid forphysicians in choosing initial empiric specific antimicrobialtherapy in patients with UTI. Other studies however haveshown contrary results.Study Question: Does whether urinary nitrite test negativityidentify pediatric patients with a higher likelihood of antibioticresistance in bacterial isolates from urines sample cultures.Method: Retrospective chart review of all pediatric patientsfrom birth to 14 years old who received a diagnosis of UTIbased on urine analysis and cultures. We analyzed urineanalysis result, nitrite test result, urine culture and antibioticsensitivity pattern and statistically looked for any correlation ofnitrite negativity on urine analysis with antibiotic resistancepattern of bacterial isolates from urine cultures.Results: No significant statistical difference found betweenantibiotic sensitivity rates of isolates grown from cultures ofnitrite-positive & from nitrite-negative urinary specimens.Conclusions: Physicians should choose initial antimicrobialagent based on knowledge of locally prevalent patterns ofantibiotic resistance, and not on urinary nitrite test results.