Objectives The aim of the stuy was to investigate clinical utility of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (uMIF) levels in predicting febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) in children.
Patients and methods This case-control study was carried out on patients attending Pediatric Units in Benha University Hospital. It was conducted on 120 children who were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of 60 patients with febrile UTI. The second group consisted of 60 age-matched and sex-matched healthy children (control group). Blood and urine samples were taken from both groups.
Results Highly statistically significant increase in levels of uNGAL, uNGAL/creatinine (Cr) and uMIF, uMIF/Cr was observed in the patient group. Results showed significant positive correlation between uNGAL, uNGAL/Cr and total leukocyte count, C-reactive protein, white blood cells, uMIF, and uMIF/Cr in the patient group. Results showed significant positive correlation between uMIF, uMIF/Cr and total leukocyte count, C-reactive protein, white blood cells, uNGAL, and uNGAL/Cr in the patient group. At a cutoff
value more than or equal to 37.2 ng/ml, uNGAL sensitivity for early diagnosis of UTI was 93.3%, with a specificity of 90%. In contrast, at a cutoff value of 57.5 ng/mg, uNGAL/Cr sensitivity for early diagnosis of UTI was 100%, with a specificity of 95%. At a cutoff value of 1014.5 pg/ml, uMIF sensitivity for early diagnosis of UTI was 91.7%, with a specificity of 90%. However, at a cutoff value of 1955.5 pg/mg, uMIF/Cr sensitivity for early diagnosis of UTI was 95%, with a specificity of 95%.
Conclusion Diagnosis of febrile UTI may be facilitated by assaying urine biomarkers (uNGAL and uMIF) with acceptable accuracy. Med Res J 00:000–000 §c 2016 Medical Research Journal.