Sterile pyuria

Last updated: Saturday, 15, January, 2011
CausesAppropriate Tests

Urine microscopy and culture.

Antibiotic-treated urinary tract infection

Testing of antibacterial activity in urine is frequently done by laboratories to show the presence of antibiotics in urine.

See Urinary tract infection

Genital infection (including urethritis), especially 

  • Chlamydia trachomatis
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae
  • Trichomonas vaginalis
  • Gardnerella vaginalis
See Sexually transmitted diseases

Genitourinary tuberculosis

Mycobacteria testing - urine: 3 early morning collections where all urine passed is collected in a sterile container.

Tuberculin sensitivity testing (Mantoux test) or Interferon-Gamma assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Calcification is often present on diagnostic imaging eg, CT scan, plain abdominal X-ray.

See Tuberculosis

Renal calculi

See Urinary tract calculi

Interstitial nephritis

Urine microscopy with examination for dysmorphic red cells and stains for eosinophils.
See Renal tubulo-interstitial disorders