Importance of struvite crystalluria in the diagnosis of urinary infection due to Proteus mirabilis

Abstract

Urinary infection by Proteus mirabilis is complicated since this ureolytic bacterium generates large amounts of struvite crystals in urine. In this study, 54% of the urines with more than 25 struvite crystals per field had a positive urine culture for Proteus mirabilis, the majority also presenting an alkaline pH and abundant leukocyturia. In most cases, the presence of struvite crystals in urine is related to urinary infection by Proteus mirabilis. Therefore, urinalysis allows us to guide the diagnosis before the result of the urine culture.