Urine Nitrite
Learn about Urine Nitrite for bacterial infection screening and urinary health assessment. Track infection markers with precision.
What is Urine Nitrite?
Urine nitrite detects the presence of bacteria that convert nitrates (normally found in urine) into nitrites. This conversion only happens when certain bacteria are present, making nitrite a specific indicator of bacterial urinary tract infections.
Why is it Tested?
Healthcare providers use nitrite testing to screen for bacterial UTIs, particularly those caused by gram-negative bacteria like E. coli. It’s often combined with leukocyte esterase testing to provide comprehensive UTI screening and help distinguish bacterial infections from other urinary tract issues.
Normal Ranges
Results are typically reported as:
- Negative: No detectable nitrite (normal result)
- Positive: Nitrite detected (suggests bacterial infection)
Normal urine does not contain nitrites. Any positive result indicates bacterial activity that converts nitrates to nitrites.
Reference ranges vary by authority. Track yours across multiple standards with automatic unit conversions in LabsVault.
What do Abnormal Results Mean?
Abnormal results are not a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.
Positive Results
A positive nitrite test strongly suggests:
- Bacterial urinary tract infection
- Presence of gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, Klebsiella, Proteus)
- Need for antibiotic treatment
- Possible bladder or kidney infection
Negative Results
A negative result doesn’t rule out UTI because:
- Some bacteria don’t produce nitrites
- Insufficient urine contact time with bacteria
- Early-stage infections
- Gram-positive bacterial infections
- Frequent urination diluting nitrite levels
How to Track Over Time
Monitoring nitrite results helps confirm UTI treatment success and detect recurrent bacterial infections. Consistently negative results after treatment indicate bacterial clearance, while persistent positives may suggest antibiotic resistance or incomplete treatment requiring culture testing.
Track your Urine Nitrite results over time
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