4.3.3 The UTI dipstick test

Figure 12 Urine test strips.

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A photo of urine test strips showing an individual multi-coloured strip leaning on the bottle of test strips. The scale used to interpret findings is visible on the bottle.

Figure 12 Urine test strips.

Several Gram-negative bacteria cause urinary infections, for example E. coli and Klebsiella. They produce an enzyme called nitrate reductase and can convert the nitrates in urine to nitrites. You do not need to know the details of this reaction, just that these nitrites can be detected using the Greiss reaction in which nitrites react to produce a pink dye. The presence of pink on the dipstick test can therefore indicate a bacterial urinary infection, although this test is not completely reliable.