Diseases of the Urinary System

Abstract

Potentially infective microorganisms may be found in urine, and it must be determined if these organisms are a result of contamination or prove the presence of active infection. Contamination will be avoided almost exclusively if following procedures to insure a proper sample are adhered to, as explained, but the possibility of contamination even if the sample is properly collected must be considered, based on the presence of certain clues such as cells from the urogenital system that are present along with potentially infective organisms.

When the specimen is determined adequate, testing may proceed. As previously mentioned, complex biochemical and chemical reactions lead to fluid balance and the regulation of certain dissolved chemicals. Since not all diseases of the kidney have an infective basis, testing may reveal failures in certain organ system where abnormal amounts of an analyte are excreted in the urine.