Home > Adults > Urology >

Sterile Pyuria

Checked: 23-12-2018 by Rob Adams Next Review: 23-12-2019

Principles of Management

The clinical implications of sterile pyuria are unclear and there are currently no clear national or local guidelines. A local consensus article suggests the following approach:

Definition- ‘Urine dipstick positive for leucocytes(1+ or greater) in the absence of dipstick haematuria or nitrites with subsequent MSU showing no bacterial growth.’

If asymptomatic then repeat after 2-4 weeks and then consider further investigations or referral if still positive. If second test is negative then a further repeat 2-4 weeks later is suggested. 2 out of 3 positive tests would also warrant further investigation.

Infectious Causes:

If a patient is asymptomatic and partially treated UTI or chlamydia is suspected then test and treat appropriately. Other infectious causes include urethritis, prostatitis, balanitis and vulvo-vaginitis would usually be associated with other symptoms and treated accordingly.

TB and schistosomiasis are common causes of pyuria globally but rare in UK without other risk factors. Testing should be reserved for those in at risk populations.

Non- urological infections may also be associated with sterile pyuria (e.g pneumonia, appendicitis).

Non-Infectious Causes:

Post-menopausal atrophy. If symptomatic atrophic vaginitis then treat with topical oestrogen.

Pregnancy. Usually due to physiological vaginal discharge. UTI or asymptomatic bacteria must be excluded due to risk of miscarriage/pre-term labour.

Renal disease. Sterile pyuria can be associated. A check of eGFR, urine ACR and BP should be undertaken to exclude renal disease.

Ketamine use. Usually presents with severe pain, frequency, haematuria and dysuria but may occasionally present with sterile pyuria.

The attached article (Assessment of Sterile Pyuria in Primary Care) provides further information. It was published in the BJFM and is written by a Urology GPSI in North Somerset.

Investigation in Primary Care

Investigations should be directed by symptoms but the following should be considered:

MSU
NAAT test ( if patient sexually active)
eGFR/urine ACR/BP
USS of kidneys
Urine culture for AAFB (if at risk of TB)
Urine microscopy for schistosomiasis ova (if recent travel to at risk areas of Africa or Middle East e.g. Lake Malawi)

Red Flags

Patients with sterile pyuria in association with visible haematuria or with persistent new onset symptoms (urgency/frequency/noturia/dysuria/bladder pain) may have malignancy and should be referred via 2WW pathway, particularly in patients> 50 years old.

See Urology 2WW guidelines. You can free text concerns on the 2WW form if no appropriate box to tick on referral form.

Referral Guidance

If sterile pyuria is symptomatic then a referral to urology should be made and if red flags or> 50 then consider 2 week wait referral.

In patients with persistent asymptomatic unexplained sterile pyuria then the need for referral is less clear. The GP should discuss the option of referral with their patient and refer via eRS if ongoing concern and the patient is willing to have further in hospital tests. Alternatively GPs can access the Urology A and G service for specific advice.

Efforts are made to ensure the accuracy and agreement of these guidelines, including any content uploaded, referred to or linked to from the system. However, BNSSG ICB cannot guarantee this. This guidance does not override the individual responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer, in accordance with the mental capacity act, and informed by the summary of product characteristics of any drugs they are considering. Practitioners are required to perform their duties in accordance with the law and their regulators and nothing in this guidance should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with compliance with those duties.

Information provided through Remedy is continually updated so please be aware any printed copies may quickly become out of date.