LEON G. SMITH, M.D.; WALTER R. THAYER, M.D.; ELLI M. MALTA; JOHN P. UTZ, M.D.
Interest has been renewed periodically in the Griess nitrite reaction as a means of detecting bacterial infection in urine.1-4 Although it was originally employed as a test of bacterial contamination of water,5 its application as an indicator of bacteriuria was suggested by the finding that most of the bacterial species which cause urinary tract infection reduce nitrate to nitrite.
In vitro studies by Kahler and Guze6 have revealed that sodium nitrite in concentrations of as little as 0.1 μg. per milliliter gives a positive test. However, considerable periods of time were required for nitrate reduction by certain strains of bacteria.
SMITH LG, THAYER WR, MALTA EM, UTZ JP. RELATIONSHIP OF THE GRIESS NITRITE TEST TO BACTERIAL CULTURE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF URINARY TRACT INFECTION1. Ann Intern Med. 1961;54:66–72. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-54-1-66
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Published: Ann Intern Med. 1961;54(1):66-72.
DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-54-1-66
Infectious Disease, Nephrology, Urinary Tract Infection, Urological Disorders.
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