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Three hundred and forty-three E. coli strains isolated from the urine of patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU), symptomatic cystitis, or pyelonephritis were analysed with regard to O group distribution and sensitivity to the bactericidal effect of normal serum. Strains of O groups 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 16, 18 and 75 were found in 31.3% in ABU, in 58.7% in cystitis and in 79.8% in pyelonephritis. Spontaneous agglutination was noted in 45.2% of ABU, 6.5% of cystitis and 1.7% of pyelonephritis strains. The strains from patients with ABU were significantly more sensitive to the bactericidal effect of normal serum than were those from patients with symptomatic urinary tract infection. In some patients with untreated ABU, changes in the characteristics of the urinary strains isolated were noted. The strains tended to become spontaneously agglutinating as well as more sensitive to the bactericidal activity of normal serum. The strains found in patients with ABU probably had an altered cell wall compared with those found in patients with symptomatic infections such that they produce fewer symptoms and possibly be less virulent.

Jodal, U., Lindberg, U. and Lincoln, K. (Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Goteborg, Goteborg, Sweden). Level diagnosis of symptomatic urinary tract infections in childhood. Acta Paediatr Scand, 64:201, 1975.–As no method for localization of urinary tract infection has been shown to be absolutely reliable, six procedures have been carried out simultaneously in 25 girls with acute symptomatic infections and the reliability of each method assessed. While clinical diagnosis of pyelonephritis or cystitis correlated well with the overall results of the battery of tests, the reliability of individual tests varied. Highest reliability was obtained with CRP determinations followed by antibody titration, sedimentation rate, and renal concentrating capacity. In the bladder washout test only 8 of the 14 patients with pyelonephritis had findings clearly indicating high infection. Intermittent or inadequate discharge of bacteria from the renal parenchyma is suggested as the major source for this inaccuracy. In fact, half of the 42 final washout specimens from girls with acute pyelonephritis contained less than 1 000 bacteria per ml, indicating that low numbers of organisms in ureteric urine is common in childhood pyelonephritis.