Studies in Urinary Tract Infections

Abstract

Coagulase‐negative staphylococci were found in the urine of 14% of 193 non‐pregnant women between the ages of 16 and 65 with significant bacteriuria. The leucocyte excretion rate in the urine of these patients was increased and was found to be of the same magnitude as in cases of infection due to bacteria known to be pathogenic in the urinary tract. Pyuria disappeared as the patients obtained sterile urine. It is concluded that the patients were infected with coagulase‐negative staphylococci in the urinary tract. The majority of the patients had a depression of renal concentration capacity. There was good agreement between the concentration capacity and clinical symptoms normally regarded as indicative of pyelonephritis. It seems probable that coagulase‐negative staphylococci may cause pyelonephritis. Coagulase‐negative staphylococci were more frequently found in younger patients with urinary tract infection and were more frequent among patients without previous symptoms than among those with a history of recurrent urinary tract infection. In comparison with patients with bacteriuria with E. coli, patients with coagulase‐negative staphylococci obtained spontaneously sterile urine more frequently and more rapidly.