AbstractBackground: Many automated urine analysers like IRIS IQ 200 and IChem Velocity (Beckman coulter) performing automated biochemical and microscopic examination are now available to improve the accuracy and productivity of urine examination and minimize the inter observer variability. It has been especially useful in predicting the growth of microorganisms in urine culture thereby reducing the time from diagnosis to initiation of treatment. Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of fully automated Iris IQ200 and IChem velocity workstation (Beckman Coulter) in predicting urine infections and those needing culture. Materials and Methods: A total of 252 patients coming to our diagnostic centre for urine examination from January to August 2017 were included in the study.Urine was inoculated on blood and McConkey Agar plates with a 0.01 ml calibrated loop and after incubating at 370C for 24 hours, bacterial growth and colony identification was carried out by standard protocol. A significant growth was considered with a colony count of 104 CFU/ml. Results: Leucocyte esterase was positive in 82 (32.5%) cases, nitrite in 23 (9.12%), bacteria in 72 (28.5%) and bacterial growth in culture in 99 (39.2%) patients. Out of these insignificant growth was seen in 22 (22.23%) and significant growth in 77 (77.77%). Out of 99 cases which showed bacterial growth in culture, E.coli was grown in 70 cases with 56 patients showing significant colony count. Klebsiella sps was grown in 21 cases, Enterococcus and Enterobacter sps in three cases, Pseudomonas in two cases. Conclusion: Automated urine analysers are good predictors of urine cultures and UTI and have enhanced accuracy due to reporting of leucocyte esterase, nitrite, bacteria and all small particles.
Keywords: iQ 200; iChem Velocity; ASP; Leukocyte Esterase; Nitrite.