What is the Difference Between Pyuria and Bacteriuria

The key difference between pyuria and bacteriuria is that pyuria is a medical condition defined by the increased presence of white blood cells in the urine, while bacteriuria is a medical condition defined by the presence of bacteria in the urine.

Pyuria and bacteriuria are two medical conditions associated with changes in urine composition. They are commonly caused by urinary tract infections (UTIs). Therefore, they are due to bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsilla pneumoniae, etc. Moreover, pyuria and bacteriuria can cause complications such as pyelonephritis, blood poisoning, and organ failure. Hence, both medical conditions should be addressed immediately.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Pyuria 
3. What is Bacteriuria
4. Similarities – Pyuria and Bacteriuria
5. Pyuria vs Bacteriuria in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Pyuria vs Bacteriuria

What is Pyuria?

Pyuria is a medical condition defined by the increased presence of white blood cells in urine. It is defined as a high number of white blood cells, at least 10 white blood cells per cubic millimetre (mm³). Due to this condition, urine looks cloudy. Normally, pyuria is due to urinary tract infections (UTIs). Sterile pyuria is due to sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea. The other common causes are interstitial cystitis, bacteremia, tuberculosis, urinary tract stones, tuberculosis, kidney disease, prostatitis, pneumonia, autoimmune diseases like Kawasaki’s disease, parasites, tumours in the urinary tract, polycystic kidney disease, medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), diuretics, penicillin antibiotics, and proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole). The symptoms of pyuria may include frequent urges to urinate, a burning sensation when urinating, blood in urine, foul-smelling urine, pelvic pain, fever, abdominal pain, abdominal discharge, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting.

Pyuria can be diagnosed through physical examination, analysing the appearance, concentration, and content of urine (urinalysis). Furthermore, pyuria is treated by taking oral antibiotics such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or nitrofurantoin, treating underlying conditions, and stopping medication that triggers pyuria.

What is Bacteriuria?

Bacteriuria is a condition that presents bacteria in the urine. There are two types of bacteriuria: asymptomatic and symptomatic. Asymptomatic bacteriuria is without symptoms of a urinary tract infection and is commonly caused by E.coli. The other potential pathogens are Klebsiella spp. and group B Streptococci. Symptomatic bacteriuria usually accompanies symptoms of a urinary tract infection. The most common cause of symptomatic bacteriuria is E.coli. The complications of bacteriuria are acute urethritis, acute cystitis, and acute pyelonephritis.

Moreover, bacteriuria can be diagnosed through physical examination, urinalysis, urine dipstick test, urine culture, nitrite test, and microscopy. Asymptomatic bacteriuria generally does not require treatments. The overuse of antibiotics to treat bacteriuria may have adverse effects such as diarrhoea, the spread of antimicrobial resistance, and infection due to Clostridium difficile. On the other hand, symptomatic bacteriuria treatments include antibiotic therapy such as nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim, and sulfamethoxazole.

What are the Similarities Between Pyuria and Bacteriuria?

• Pyuria and bacteriuria are two conditions associated with changes in urine composition.
• They are commonly caused by urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• They are due to bacteria such as Escherichia coli.
• Both medical conditions can cause complications such as pyelonephritis, blood poisoning, and organ failure.
• They can be mainly treated with antibiotics.

What is the Difference Between Pyuria and Bacteriuria?

Pyuria is a medical condition defined by the increased presence of white blood cells in the urine, while bacteriuria is a medical condition defined by the presence of bacteria in the urine. Thus, this is the key difference between pyuria and bacteriuria. Furthermore, pyuria is due to urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, and other causes such as interstitial cystitis, bacteremia, tuberculosis, etc. On the other hand, bacteriuria is due to bacterial colonization of the urinary tract.

The following table summarizes the difference between pyuria and bacteriuria.

Summary – Pyuria vs Bacteriuria

Pyuria and bacteriuria are commonly caused due to urinary tract infections (UTIs) by bacteria such as Escherichia coli. Pyuria is a medical condition defined by the increased presence of white blood cells in the urine, while bacteriuria is a medical condition defined by the presence of bacteria in the urine. So, this summarizes the difference between pyuria and bacteriuria.

Reference:

1. “Bacteriuria.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.
2. Cherney, Kristeen. “Pyuria: Causes, Treatment, and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Pyuria2011” By James Heilman, MD – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Bacteriuria pyuria” By Steven Fruitsmaak – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia