History and Objectives: Due to importance of urinary tract infections (UTI) and its complications, the present study was performed on patients referred to the Central Pathobiology Laboratory in Kashan in the second half of 1999 to evaluate the urine exam and culture.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was carried on patients with urinary tract infection referring to Central Laboratory. Urine samples were collected from mead stream urine (MSU). The samples were cultured on blood agar plates (BAP) and eosin methylene blue (EMB) agar in 37°C for 24 hours and after colony counting, bacterial colonies were diagnosed by culturing on differential biochemical media. Urine examinations were performed macroscopically and microscopically and the data were presented using descriptive statistical analysis.

Results: Of 505 patients, 127 patients (25.1%) had positive urine culture, of which 90.6% and 9.4% were women and men respectively. E.coli (77.2%), coagulase negative staphylococci (17.3%), proteus (3.2%), klebsiella (1.6%) and pseudomonas (0.8%) were the most prevalent microbial infection. From 127 positive culture tests, 63.8% had positive bacteria on direct smear examination, 55.1% had PMN and 53% had nitrate reduction positive test. Forty one (52%) patients were positive for bacteria, PMN cells and nitrate reduction positive in their urine.

Conclusion: Urine analysis cannot detect the urinary tract infections without culturing. Further analytical study is recommended to determine the importance of urine analysis in detecting the urinary tract infections.