Can a Uti Cause a False Positive Chlamydia Test

Take you lot had a UTI test and received negative results, even though you have symptoms of a UTI?

Or you lot might get a positive result, followed by a negative event, even though your UTI symptoms haven't really improved.

Well, residuum assured, you're not the simply one who has experienced this. And even more than reassuring, there'due south a good chance your test results were wrong, and that you exercise indeed take a UTI.

Scientific discipline supports your suspicions that the standard UTI test is inaccurate. It has been proven inaccurate, and this commodity will help explain why, and what you can do about information technology.

Article Quick Links

• How accurate are UTI exam methods? Not very. >>>>
• Why you tin can't trust UTI test strips. >>>>
• 8 Reasons your negative UTI examination could be incorrect. >>>>
• vi Culling UTI test methods you lot could try. >>>>
• Should Yous Try UTI Exam Alternatives? >>>>

How Authentic Are UTI Test Methods?

At that place are two standard ways to bear a UTI test:

1. A rapid dipstick strip exam, which is done on the spot by your medical practitioner (or at dwelling house)
2. A urine culture, where your sample is sent to a lab and is tested over the course of 24-48 hours.

Despite beingness the global standards for UTI testing since the 1980s and 1950s respectively, both of these tests are extremely inaccurate.

Accuracy Of Standard UTI Tests

In reality, antibiotics are very ofttimes prescribed without any form of UTI exam. Patients and doctors are very competent at recognizing the symptoms of a UTI, only there are bug with this approach.

Statistics show that 26-44% of females will experience a recurrence of their first UTI. In this 26-44%, it is likely the initial handling failed.

Evidence suggests that with each recurrence of UTI, some other recurrence becomes more likely.

The more UTIs you accept, the more likely y'all are to get some other.

If your UTI treatment failed the first fourth dimension, it is crucial to find out why as soon as possible, in order to break the cycle of recurrence before it escalates.

So why don't the standard UTI test methods provide the answers you need?

Kickoff, allow's take a quick look at those urine test strips you lot can use at dwelling house or at the doctor's part. Then nosotros'll explain some of the issues with urine culturing washed at a lab.

Knowing the issues with both of these tests volition arm you lot with the correct questions to inquire if you lot feel similar your negative results are wrong.

We've besides created a free download that provides a breakdown of the unlike types of testing. Provide the email address at which you'd like to receive the download, at the end of this article. Jump straight to download.

Why You lot Can't Trust UTI Test Strips

UTI test strips are commonly used equally an initial indicator for UTI.Studies take shown these test strips are unreliable, and cannot be used to rule out infection.

You've probably seen a UTI test strip if yous've ever been to a doctor for a suspected UTI, but you can likewise purchase them online or over the counter, to use at dwelling house.

Home UTI test strips often contain only ii of the indicators (the little colored boxes) listed beneath.

What UTI Strip Test Indicators Mean

Indicator	Why It'due south Used
pH Level	If your urine pH is outside the normal range of 5-7, in that location could be an effect, or your urine pH may have been temporarily altered by something you ate or drank.
Poly peptide	Protein in the urine (proteinuria) tin bespeak kidney disease or other wellness problems, but information technology can also be caused by: - Urinary tract infection - Dehydration - Stress or strenuous practise - Exposure to extreme common cold - Fever
Carbohydrate	The most common cause of sugar in the urine is diabetes, just information technology can besides betoken other rare health conditions.
Ketone	Ketones in the urine can besides be acquired by diabetes, but tin also be a upshot of a land of ketosis, where the body burns fat instead of carbohydrate for fuel.
Bilirubin	Bilirubin in the urine may be an early indicator of liver harm, all the same, this indicator is known to be highly inaccurate.
Urobilinogen	Urobilinogen is a by-production of Bilirubin product and may indicate issues with the liver, among other health issues.
Nitrite	Some bacteria that cause UTIs make an enzyme that changes urinary nitrates into nitrites. So if the strip is positive for nitrites, the conclusion is that y'all have a bacterial UTI. Note that many leaner do not create nitrites in your urine.
Red blood cells (erythrocytes)	Blood can appear in urine due to strenuous exercise, but by and large, blood in the urine is taken to be a sign of infection, inflammation, disease, or injury to the urinary tract.
White blood cells (leukocytes esterase)	A positive strip result for white blood cells in your urine indicates an infection in your urinary tract, or possibly, kidney disease.

Studies testify that UTI test strips may only be reliable almost 30% of the fourth dimension.

"My urine was visibly cloudy and it burned when I went to pee. My doctor used a UTI test strip in my urine sample and said everything on the examination strip was normal. I was told I didn't accept an infection even though I've had UTIs earlier and I know exactly what they feel similar."

Some studies have bluntly concluded that UTI examination strips should exist abandoned as a tool for the diagnosis of UTIs in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms.

Given the low accurateness of UTI test strips, if the results are negative but you have UTI symptoms, it would mostly be recommended that y'all have a urine culture examination washed in a lab.

Which brings us to the next problem…

8 Reasons Your Negative UTI Test Could Exist Incorrect

Permit's just put it out in that location that if you take received negative results for a urine culture, merely you still take symptoms, information technology is very possible you have a UTI. Unfortunately, these testing bug can add another layer of defoliation and uncertainty when seeking answers.

This happens very oftentimes, and nosotros can help explain why beneath. Information technology's also a skilful idea to have an agreement of how a standard urine culture works.

#1. It Turns Out Urine Is Not Sterile

It has go common knowledge that urine is sterile – it'due south even go ingrained in 'first aid' advice, like "urinating on a wound is improve than using non-sterile water." Just it turns out it's non.

The float has its own unique microbiome, and an platonic residual of microbes that your body does its best to maintain.

Studies take constitute hundreds of unlike bacteria in healthy bladders. And in patients with UTIs, they have found even more than. That'due south a lot of different bacteria that were causeless not to exist in the bladder!

Because UTI exam techniques have always assumed urine is sterile, they have always been flawed.

For many, the consequences of this are UTI test results that listing 'contamination' which implies the bacteria came from a source other than the float – possibly peel, vagina, or elsewhere.

This 'contamination' may actually be bacteria from inside the bladder that should be considered as part of the puzzle. Results may also show insignificant levels of growth that are then often dismissed.

It'due south important to admit here that actual sample contagion is likewise a existent possibility, so minimizing this is also important. We've discussed this more below.

#2. The Pathogen/s Causing Your Symptoms May Non Be In Your Sample

Standard UTI test methods focus on costless-floating pathogens (which is how UTIs start).

With every recurrence of UTI, there is an increased risk of an embedded, difficult-to-treat bladder infection. An infection embedded in or fastened to the bladder wall is called a biofilm.

Biofilms aren't always bad – many types of leaner form these structures naturally and they're an important part of the gut microbiome.

When bacteria course biofilms in the bladder, they are no longer free-floating. If the bacteria are not floating around in the urine, they will non be passed into your sample on urination.

If the bacteria are not in your sample, they will non be detected.

In that location are other reasons your sample may non comprise detectable levels of leaner, including over-hydration. If your float is frequently flushed and your urine is diluted, your sample may not contain enough of anything a urine culture can notice.

#three. The UTI Test Was Never Meant To Exist Used For Everyday UTIs

In the 1950s a scientist named Kass conducted two small studies on ii groups of females with astute kidney infections. 1 grouping of participants were pregnant females, the other not-pregnant females.

Kass discovered that a certain concentration of bacteria in a cultured urine sample was enough to indicate a kidney infection with 80% accuracy.

Kass suggested that a kidney infection was present when a sure amount of bacteria was establish in the urine. This is called the Kass threshold, and y'all may have seen reference to it on your UTI examination results.

The Kass threshold ways a concentration of 100,000 (105) colony forming units (CFU) of bacteria per milliliter of cultured urine must be present to indicate an infection. It is a very specific threshold without much room for interpretation.

The key point here is that the Kass test was already but eighty% accurate for astute kidney infections. Information technology was never validated for use in lower urinary tract infections, similar bladder or urethral infections.

Yet, this test was embraced by the medical customs and has been the global standard UTI test for more than sixty years.

The Kass threshold has since been constitute to be far too high to discover many lower urinary tract infections. That is, much lower counts of leaner in the urine can indicate a UTI.

"If a urine dipstick or lab test comes dorsum negative but the patient is clearly describing symptoms of a UTI, doctors must listen to them. Urine tests are far from perfect and it is vital to interpret them in the context of the patient's symptoms." Dr Jon Rees, Chair, Primary Care Urology Social club, United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland

Because modernistic urine civilisation tests are based on the Kass test, any bacteria count that is below the Kass threshold volition not exist considered an infection, and antibody susceptibility testing volition not be washed.

#4. UTIs Can Be Acquired By Multiple Pathogens (The Bad Guys)

Some other event with the standard mid-stream urine civilization, or Kass test, is that information technology looks for a single pathogen, and does not take into business relationship the possibility of multiple infection-causing pathogens.

Instead, if multiple pathogens are found, information technology is generally assumed that the urine sample was contaminated.

This is a problem because some chronic infections have been found to exist acquired by multiple pathogens co-existing in the float. And each pathogen may require a different treatment approach.

"Our biological studies reveal mixed microbial infections hiding inside the cells of the bladder. Located in that location, the microbes seem quiescent merely cause low-class inflammation that may cause various bladder symptoms...Cloistered, inside cells bacteria escape antibiotic and immune set on." Professor Malone-Lee, Whittington Hospital, UK

#5. The Standard UTI Test Cannot Abound Most Leaner

The standard urine civilization method does not mimic the environs in the bladder. Every bit we described above, a urine culture uses a specific medium, and specific conditions over a brusque frame of time.

The vast majority of all known organisms will not grow in these conditions. And many organisms that may be perfectly happy residing and multiplying in the bladder, will non grow in the surroundings of a culture plate.

This ways the standard urine culture methods are just non able to place all UTI-causing pathogens. The figure beneath shows organisms that have been identified in the bladder using expanded culture protocols. The markings tin be interpreted as follows:

• Orange stars – Bacteria known to be associated with UTIs or to make UTIs worse, but are not detected by SUC.
• Yellow arrows – Known uropathogens that are not detected by SUC.
• Dark red arrows – Organisms that SUC detects.
• Unmarked – Not much is known about the unmarked organisms. Some of them might be beneficial (like the other Lactobacillus species), some benign (neither good nor bad), and some might be undiscovered uropathogens. More inquiry is needed.

Alternative testing methods, similar EQUC, PCR and NGS have been able to place many pathogens that do non grow in a urine culture.

Dr. Krystal Thomas-White, our scientific advisor here at Alive UTI Gratuitous, recently offered us boosted information nearly why standard urine cultures tin can be and then inaccurate. She shares these insights and more in our video interview. Check information technology out!

#half-dozen. White Blood Cells In Urine Are Often Ignored

We mentioned white blood cells (leukocytes) in urine earlier, as one of the indicators on a UTI test strip. As much as we cringe at the word, white blood cells are commonly referred to as pus.

White claret cells are also looked for in a standard urine culture at a lab. If either examination method detects white blood cells in your urine, information technology is likely you lot have a urinary tract infection.

Unfortunately, the presence of white blood cells in a urine culture is measured against a threshold that was established even before than the Kass threshold.

You can remember of the white blood cell measurement every bit a fill-in to the Kass exam. Ideally, you would get UTI test results that show a significant amount of bacteria present, PLUS a level of white blood cells that confirms your body is fighting an infection.

Lots of leaner paired with pus – an immune system response – builds a solid case for a UTI.

There are three major issues with the measurement of white blood cells in a urine sample:

1. Much like the Kass threshold, research suggests the threshold for white blood cells is besides also high, and that lower levels of white blood cells can indicate a urinary tract infection.
2. White claret cells die off quickly outside the body, and may have already significantly reduced by the time a test takes place.
3. If your urine contains white claret cells but fails the Kass test, the raised white blood jail cell count may exist considered an anomaly and dismissed equally unimportant.

This tertiary signal is commonly referred to as 'sterile pyuria'.

Pyuria means pus in the urine, and sterile means the absence of leaner. So 'sterile pyuria' basically means pus was found in the urine, only infection-causing bacteria was not.

Many researchers believe sterile pyuria is often incorrectly reported due to the Kass threshold being too high, and that lower levels of leaner may be nowadays and significant.

"I had ongoing symptoms. Sometimes acute, sometimes minor, just always there. I bought UTI test strips to monitor my urine. Every unmarried day it showed I had raised white claret cells, simply when I sent my urine to a lab, it kept coming back negative for an infection. I had no idea what was going on."

#7. Epithelial Cells As An Immune Response Are Overlooked

Epithelial cells are the delicate tissue that can exist found lining nearly of the urinary tract, including the bladder. When you have a UTI, your body can shed epithelial cells every bit function of its defense confronting pathogens that form biofilms or intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs).

The body is pretty amazing actually. Pathogens invade and starting time to form communities on and inside the bladder lining cells, and your body starts sacrificing its ain cells, in an try to foil the programme.

Historically, if these epithelial cells were found in urine that tested negative for bacteria, the cells were considered to be sample contamination. Information technology is now clear that the presence of epithelial cells tin can actually exist an indication of an underlying, embedded infection.

#8. It's Well-nigh Impossible To Collect An Uncontaminated Urine Sample

If you've ever had to provide a urine sample for whatsoever type of testing, you're probably familiar with the terms 'midstream' and 'clean-catch'. These basically refer to a urine sample that is captured only during the middle timeframe of urination and is costless from contamination. At that place are 2 bug here.

Let'southward deal with contamination showtime. Anatomically speaking, urine exiting the urethra is incredibly likely to option up leaner from the surrounding skin and vagina, and this will end upwardly in the sample.

Second, it's really hard to perch over a toilet, separate the labia (for females), and at the same time have a sample collection cup at the set, and so just capture 30mL or so of urine from a stream that could be hundreds of milliliters in total.

The issue of all this difficulty is that up to 1 in 4 urine samples are considered contaminated. Regardless of the type of testing you cull or are recommended, it'southward e'er best to have an accurate sample.

v Alternative UTI Test Methods You Could Try

We cannot reiterate enough… No bear witness of infection is not the same thing as evidence of no infection.

Or, to put information technology in a less mind-angle phrase – just because your UTI test comes back negative, it does not mean you do non have an infection.

There ARE other testing options available, ranging from a modified urine culture examination, right upwardly to high tech genetic sequencing methods like those described below.

Cheque out our skilful video series to larn more about how standard urine cultures are misleading and can lead to an inaccurate diagnosis.

"At that place'southward an old expression, if it looks like a duck, walks similar a duck, and quacks like a duck. It'south gotta be a duck. And so to have somebody who has pain, urgency, frequency and burning, and yet they're told they don't have an infection considering a urine culture was negative, who do you believe? Are you treating a lab effect? Or are yous treating a person?" Ruth Kriz, APRN

If you feel you have wearied your current options and you are even so experiencing symptoms that touch on your life, information technology could be time to larn more about how to movement forrard.

A number of researchers, specialists and doctors in various countries have adult more comprehensive approaches to conditions such as recurrent UTI, chronic cystitis and Interstitial Cystitis.

Thanks to their efforts, there are a few alternative testing options you may wish to consider.

1. MicroGenDX: Next Generation Sequencing For UTIs

MicroGenDX, a US based molecular laboratory, uses NGS testing and states that their tests identify 100% of the known bacteria, fungi and parasites in a urine sample from a database of >50,000 species, with 99.9% accuracy.

In improver to breaking downwardly the percentages of all microbial species detected, predictions around antibody resistance genes are provided. The results report contains recommendations about which antibiotics are likely to be most effective.

"We strongly believe MicroGenDX Laboratory tin provide better diagnostic information to treat chronic UTIs past utilizing Next-Gen Sequencing. NGS takes the guesswork out of microbial detection allowing for targeted utilization of antimicrobials." Rick Martin, CEO, MicroGenDX

You tin order a kit direct from the MicroGenDX website, and ship your sample from within the USA, or internationally.

We've covered the UTI testing service offered by MicroGenDX in much more detail in a split article we encourage you to read if you're interested in using their service.

Or, if you lot're set up to order a examination, yous can detect the right guild page by clicking here for patients, and here for practitioners.

two. Pathnostics: Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing For Polymicrobial UTI

Pathnostics, a diagnostics visitor based in California, uses a patented approach to antibiotic susceptibility testing that looks at the antibiotic sensitivity of the bacterial community as a whole, every bit well every bit at individual pathogens.

This is pregnant as leaner inside a microbial community can share resistance traits, and the way a bacterial community responds to antibiotics cannot be predicted by looking at each bacterium in isolation.

"We know that when you take more than one organism and yous put them together in the same soup, they tend to work together. Our research has shown that considering of this, the antibody recommendations need to alter, at times significantly. And these new recommendations make a difference to treatment success." David Baunoch, PhD, Main Scientific Officer, Pathnostics

It's always all-time to work with a practitioner to hash out treatment options and develop a UTI treatment program. At present, Pathnostics Guidance® with antibody susceptibility testing can only exist ordered by a clinician.

Our article on antibody susceptibility testing for recurrent UTI with Pathnostics explains this test in much more detail.

And if you'd similar more information to take to your md to request this examination, you tin leap straight to our form to request printable UTI testing materials.

A Caveat Regarding Side by side Generation Sequencing UTI Testing

Although scientists have used Dna to place microbes for many years, the technology has been expensive and time consuming, and therefore considered inappropriate for everyday testing of chronic illnesses.

This is changing, however, and the latest technology is now being used to identify the unique DNA of microbes found in human test samples, including urine. DNA testing has already detected more than i,200 different microbial species in urine samples – a number far higher than any other UTI testing method.

This category of testing is known as Side by side Generation Sequencing, and the two services above autumn into this group.

Some chronic UTI literate practitioners are wary of NGS testing, as it has the ability to notice hundreds of organisms in a single urine sample, and the significance of these organisms is not yet known. How tin we know which to treat?

To help accost this question, NGS results typically testify what percentage each organism was found in – the thought being that any dominant pathogens volition be identified, and that these should be looked at outset when it comes to handling.

This approach has proven very successful for many practitioners who comprehend NGS testing in different areas of human wellness, including chronic urinary tract issues.

If conventional UTI testing methods take failed to provide you with answers, NGS testing could finally help you find them.

3. Expanded Quantitative Urine Culture (EQUC)

Expanded Quantitative Urine Civilization (EQUC) is a UTI testing method that is relatively new, and has been used in many contempo studies around the female urinary microbiome and recurrent UTI.

EQUC uses a modified urine civilisation protocol, that builds on the standard concept of urine civilization with some very important changes. These include using larger volumes of urine, varied atmospheric atmospheric condition for incubation and longer incubation times.

The result is that the conditions of EQUC are far superior to those of the standard urine civilisation.

In fact, 1 written report that compared the ii techniques constitute that EQUC grew bacterial species (was positive) in 80% of the samples tested. In comparing, 92% of these same samples were reported equally no growth (negative) using standard urine culture.

EQUC has been adopted every bit a UTI examination method past a selection of practitioners in the U.s.a.. We're looking into where patients can admission EQUC and will publish further information equally we find information technology.

4. Fresh Sample Urine Microscopy Test

This test is exactly what it sounds like. Upon providing a urine sample, it is immediately analyzed nether a microscope to count things such as bacteria, fungi, white and cherry-red blood cells, and bladder lining cells (epithelial cells). It'southward a technique that was used in the 1920s and has since been revived.

Ane Britain written report focused on recurrent cystitis with negative urinalysis, led by specialist, Professor Malone-Lee, used this UTI testing technique in combination with a thorough assessment of symptoms.

Based on positive identification of infection using this technique, the study reported a handling success rate of 84%, in patients with urinary tract conditions previously considered untreatable.

"We do i examination; firsthand microscopy of a fresh specimen of urine; counting the white and red blood cells, bladder lining cells, bacteria and fungi. The symptoms and the microscopic data are interpreted...they force consideration of all the data particularly the patient's narrative." Professor Malone-Lee, Whittington Hospital, Great britain

At nowadays, we are unaware of The states-based specialists using this same set of testing and assessment techniques. Yet, it is possible to replicate this technique with the help of a practitioner.

5. Modified Standard Urine Civilisation Examination

Although we know standard UTI testing is inaccurate, some individuals practice discover an answer. You may be able to request changes to the standard urine civilisation to increase its accuracy. Possible enhancements include:

1. Decrease the colony forming units (CFU) threshold from 10^v to x ³ or 10 ².
2. Ensure a susceptibility examination be completed if your test is positive for bacteria or yeast even at lower levels. This should be done automatically, and is essential to place which antibiotic or anti-yeast handling should be prescribed.
3. Lengthen the incubation flow, to encourage the growth of more than types of pathogens.

These changes aren't always possible, so you should enquire your doctor about information technology, or request it directly at a lab if you test independently.

While we don't usually recommend using techniques that take been shown to be so flawed, there are very few options for UTI testing in most regions, and we don't want to dismiss it completely.

Why It's Of import To Detect The Right Practitioner

While you may be able to request UTI testing independently, the results have limited usefulness without a practitioner who can interpret the information and prescribe an appropriate treatment regimen.

Because the types of UTI testing covered in a higher place are non widely available, many practitioners may not be aware of them at all. Or they may be aware of them but accept no feel using them, or may believe them to be unhelpful.

E'er find a practitioner to work with before ordering testing. Nosotros've covered recurrent UTI treatment approaches in a separate commodity, so dive in there for more insight.

"With Microbiome testing, you don't often get one leaner. Certainly, I have establish the usual suspects like Due east. coli. I've even detected some STIs, and anaerobes that can't be grown by civilization. Sometimes, you get long lists of bacteria that we know very little about, and I'll practise all-encompassing literature searches and sometimes barely come up upwards with one or 2 papers. And then what I generally do in that situation is to try and figure out which are likely to be pathogenic, and treat those. This is a really different way of prescribing antibiotics compared to when I was trained." Dr Michael Hsieh, MD, PhD

Should You Try UTI Test Alternatives?

But you tin can make up one's mind how of import it is to pursue more constructive testing and handling.

Inquire yourself a few questions first:

1. Have y'all already submitted multiple urine samples for culturing in a lab?
2. If so, were the results negative despite your symptoms? Did you lot actually receive your results?
3. If your results were positive, do y'all feel the handling was effective, or did you experience UTI symptoms again presently after?
4. Do yous feel your recurrent or chronic symptoms are something you are happy to manage, or are you lot interested in investigating a possible long term solution?
5. Have y'all gathered all your previous test results and gone through them with 1 practitioner to talk over any patterns or trends?
6. Practice you feel yous understand the options available, or should yous do some more inquiry?
7. Do you have a practitioner that you feel can help with alternative testing methods?

These are all questions nosotros tin't answer for you lot. We understand this is an individual journey for each person.

To get answers to usually asked questions well-nigh chronic and recurrent UTI, visit our FAQ page .

Download our testing breakdown nautical chart by sharing your email address below:

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Source: https://liveutifree.com/uti-test/

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