Urine - Nitrate:
Why Urine - Nitrate Test?
CLINICAL INFORMATION
The food we consume in the form of fruits, vegetables and meat naturally has the presence of nitrogen. After digestion the proteins are converted into amino acids and which are utilized in protein synthesis. Moreover, a certain amount of these nitrogenous substances is also excreted in the urine. Usually, the excreted urine contains nitrates, while patients with UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) have an abnormal presence of nitrites (the bacterial enzyme reductase converts the nitrates into nitrites) in their urine (that might cause other disturbances to the urinogenital system like cystitis). In women, urinary tract infections are the most common type of infection. This is a urinalysis test that detects the presence of nitrites (nitrituria) in the urine. Bacteria present in a urinary tract infection when multiplies can convert these nitrogenous compounds present in the urine into another different form (i.e nitrites), and hence the presence of nitrites, if tested positive is a sign of UTI. The nitrates and nitrites differ in their chemical structure. For instance, nitrates have three oxygen atoms while the nitrites carry two oxygen atoms. Clinical manifestations of urinary tract infections include frequent urination, frequent urge to pass urine, dysuria(scanty in quantity)and painful urination, dark and cloudy or reddish urine, foul-smelling urine, fever, weakness and fatigue – particularly in the elder age group patients (men and women). Particularly in case of pregnancy as a part of routine prenatal check-up screening for UTI is also performed. UTI are common in pregnancy and hence as a result if undetected or untreated cases might lead to complications in pregnancy such as inducing high blood pressure during pregnancy, resulting in premature delivery and can affect the fetus as well, may cause pyelonephritis(signs of a kidney infection include high fever, chills, flank pain, nausea, vomiting) etc. Apart from UTI being tested during pregnancy, other conditions which may also indicate UTI test includes pre-surgical requisite, pre-existing kidney conditions, diabetes etc. Neglected UTI can also sometimes lead to a life-threatening condition called sepsis etc. Additional tests include WBC, proteins, acids, sugars, cell fragments, casts, crystals (clumps of minerals) etc hence microscopic (evaluation) findings along with culture and sensitivity test results are also necessary along with test reports. Other tests include pH, Azodye test, saliva test, leukocyte esterase (LE test is also performed for Gonorrhea – STDinfection)test etc.
General Instructions:
Sample Requirement: Specimen - Urine Sample. Test Preparation: None.
NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.
This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RT DIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centres to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.
