This method of testing for a UTI does have its limitations, however, since nitrites give little information about what type of bacteria is causing the infection. The Nitrogen Cycle is important for all living organisms, and is something humans contribute to by eating foods rich in nitrate (a compound of 1 nitrogen and 3 oxygen molecules). Be sure to follow your doctors instructions and take the entire course of antibiotics. For these individuals, different testing methods may be warranted (such as a blood test) (2). This leads to a kidney infection (pyelonephritis). Nevertheless, if those levels reach 20 lev/vl or more, then searching for the cause and starting medical treatment will be necessary. Nitrites in urine are substances that help doctors diagnose a suspected urinary tract infection. Is High leukocytes in urine but no nitrates your major concern? Any ideas anyone? Blockages here can cause an increase in leukocyte production and leukocytes passing into the urine. It's also possible to have a UTI without having nitrites in your urine. Sterile pyuria is the persistent presence of white blood cells in the urine without a bacterial cause. Use of the forums is subject to our Terms of Use New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Stopping an antibiotic too soon can allow the infection to return and contribute to antibiotic resistance. Would you like email updates of new search results? First, your urine will be visually inspected for cloudiness cloudy, Second, a dipstick (a thin stick with strips of chemicals) is used to check for a variety of factors, such as the. Then collect about 2 ounces of urine in the cup provided by your doctor. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Nitric Oxide. Registered number: 10004395 Registered office: Fulford Grange, Micklefield Lane, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6BA. The site is secure. I have no other urinary symptoms like stinging or burning. Also is this maybe something my body is trying to flush out? This suggests that the urine does not have many infectious bacteria, and as a result, there is little risk that it does. Pee every three to four hours, and before and after sex. Not all bacteria result in a positive nitrate result. Only culture testing . High leukocyte levels in the urine may indicate a urinary tract infection or other underlying inflammatory medical problems. The only symptom I have is mild burning during urination, no blood, no foul-smelling urine, no pelvic pain. feeling the need to urinate often without passing much urine. 2001 Jun;15(3):523-37. doi: 10.1053/bega.2000.0196. Registered number: 10004395 Registered office: Fulford Grange, Micklefield Lane, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6BA. Bacteria in your urinary system cause nitrites to form in your pee. Policy. Cleveland Clinic Community Care puts patients first by offering comprehensive, coordinated, personalized healthcare. Leukocytes are also known as white blood cells, which are an important part of your immune system. We sought to determine whether NO was generated from acidified nitrite-containing urine. Youll need antibiotics to get rid of the UTI. What does it mean if you have leukocytes and nitrite in your urine? 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Harmful bacteria find their way into the urinary tract and reproduce rapidly. Makes it hard to tell a UTI from flared IC. Keep in mind that not all bacteria are capable of converting nitrate to nitrite. The urine dipstick was exposed to air for too long. 6 users are following. Nitrite-positive urine (pee) is a sign of a possible urinary tract infection (UTI). When nitrates are positive in your urine, it probably means that a urinary tract infection caused by gram-negative bacteria is present. So, if you have nitrites in your urine, it usually means that you have a urinary tract infection (UTI). One tested positive for nitrites the other tested negative for luekocytes. Pyuria is a urinary condition related to white blood cells. Your healthcare provider will conduct a urinalysis and urine dipstick test to check for nitrites in urine. Plasma- and urine concentrations of nitrite/nitrate and cyclic Guanosinemonophosphate in intrauterine growth restricted and preeclamptic pregnancies. If your doctor tests your urine and finds too many leukocytes, it could be a sign of infection. What is the difference between interstitial cystitis and normal bladder? November 2020. Kidney infections can cause leukocytes to appear in the urine and may cause fever, lower back pain and vomiting. Some bacteria develop antibiotic resistance. The length of treatment will depend on the medication used, the dosing and the severity of infection. We avoid using tertiary references. Nitrates enter our bodies through the foods we eat. Crdoba G, Holm A, Hansen F, Hammerum AM, Bjerrum L. Prevalence of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli from patients with suspected urinary tract infection in primary care, Denmark. (7,8) As we all know, its very difficult to hold urine when we have a UTI. You should get immediate results. This is usually called a urinary tract infection. No need to send sample for urine culture consider other diagnoses. A UTI can happen anywhere in your urinary tract, including your bladder, ureters, kidneys, and urethra. I have some test strips and the last time this happened it was positive for nitrites (went bright pink) but negative for any lukocytes. Nitrites can form naturally in your body when the foods you eat are digested. All this to say, my infection seems very mild and uncomplicated at worst. Very confused. Can you get rid of nitrites in urine naturally? Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Doctors refer to this as urinary retention. Simerville JA, et al. *Normal reference ranges can vary by lab. Who should be tested for nitrites, and how. The medical term for nitrites in urine is nitrituria (NI-tri-tur-EE-ah). She said that no luekocytes means no uti and most likely a different issue such as an sti. Testing urine for nitrites is a quick way to screen for a UTI, but other tests like urine cultures can provide more detailed and accurate information. Today I bought an OTC UTI test strip, the results of which say I have nitrites in my urine but no leukocytes. Urine dipstick tests for nitrites arent always reliable. oxidizing agents (such as bleach used in the manufacturing of dipsticks), when the urine is colored (which could be caused by drugs like Nitrofurantoin/Macrobid, supplements, and/or diet), AZO products (from my observations, AZO products color the supposing and can interfere with any test because of the color change), vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in large amounts, old infections (because the type of leukocyte that appears later in the infection is lymphocytes, which do not contain LE), when there is a low amount of nitrate in the urine due to low dietary nitrate intake, if the conversion of nitrite to nitrogen has occurred (for example, in specimens that have not been tested for several hours), dipsticks have been stored improperly or exposed to air, conversion of nitrate to nitrite due to bacterial contamination in an improperly collected or stored urine specimen, AZO use (your urine should be tested before any AZO use), gross blood (from my observation, because of the color, it can give a false positive on any test). Seek emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms, as they could mean an infection has spread to your bladder or kidneys: If you experience any of the above symptoms or any other symptoms of a UTI, you should seek a doctors care as soon as possible. This result may occur if: Healthcare providers often perform urine tests as part of routine physical exams. Moreover, leukocyturia may continue even if bacteriuria has cleared spontaneously or after treatment. A positive leukocyte esterase test result is most . Healthy urine contains nitrates, a type of nitrogen chemical. Leukocytes in Urine (No Nitrates) Even in healthy persons, the body is continually fighting pathogens that try to invade it. It is important to note that nitrates are present in most foods we consume especially vegetables and fruits. I'm having the same problem now. Its okay to ask to have a sample of clean-catch urine to undergo microscopic evaluation of urine sediment or ask if other tests should be performed. 2004;38(8):1150-1158. https://doi.org/10.1086/383029, 7. Leukocytes can sometimes show in urine tests. Sepsis can be life threatening. . Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We avoid using tertiary references. When I have a flair I get very bad pelvic pain when my bladder fills. I thought if there was infection both would be positive? They can lead to high blood pressure and premature delivery if left untreated. I have been diagnosed with IC for 2 years although I have probably had it for 20 years. If the urine is tested positive for nitrite, it indicates a bacterial infection, although it does not pick up all the bacteria present in the urine. In the urine, it is much lower, between zero and five WBCs per high power field. A nitrite-specific dipstick contains certain chemicals that cause the dipstick to change color when there are nitrites in urine. Leukocytes in urine but no nitrates 07-01-2010, 03:28 AM. A more complicated UTI might require a longer course of antibiotics that could take up to two weeks or be given intravenously. Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infectionsacross age groups. People who suspect leukocytes in the urine provide a urine sample that their doctor can analyze in three ways: Visual exam, dipstick test, and microscopic exam. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. Epub 2006 Mar 11. Our clinical information meets the standards set by the NHS in their Standard for Creating Health Content guidance. respect of any healthcare matters. Nitrate reduction to nitrite, nitric oxide and ammonia by gut bacteria under physiological conditions [published correction appears in PLoS One. Learn about the causes, treatment, and. When dealt with promptly, UTIs are easily treatable and usually resolve quickly in a couple of days. appropriate medical assistance immediately. If your healthcare provider orders a urinalysis, you will be asked to provide a urine sample in a sterile container. I am a 32 year old woman. And one more note: I work in a rural hospital/clinic, so we lab techs talk with the provider about what we see in the microscope. Symptoms include severe abdominal or lower back pain, confusion, and fever. Discrepancy in results between dipstick urinalysis and urine sediment microscopy. High leukocyte levels in the urine may indicate a urinary tract infection or other underlying inflammatory medical problems. Nitrite-positive urine (pee) is a sign of a possible urinary tract infection (UTI). A urinary tract infection (or UTI) is the most commonly occurring reason for increased levels of leukocytes in the urine. An LE test can also come back positive for infections such as Trichomonas and Chlamydia. When nitrates are positive in your urine, it probably means that a urinary tract infection caused by gram-negative bacteria is present. Large amounts of NO were released from infected nitrite-containing urine after mild acidification. A positive nitrite result signifies that bacteria capable of this conversion (eg, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Pseudomonas) are present in the urinary tract. What to know about itchy skin and rashes with kidney disease. This article reviews all you need to, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. The presence of nitrites in the urine is highly specific to certain bacterial infections. Hospitalization or surgeries requiring the use of a urinary catheter. Patient does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If the leukocytes levels are between 0 and 10 lev/vl, then it is considered a normal result. However, high leukocyte levels in the urine may indicate an underlying infection or disruption to the urinary system. If this test results in a positive result, the urine should be inspected under a microscope for white blood cells and other symptoms of illness. A urinalysis may be done for a variety of reasons, including: Before a urinalysis, inform your doctor of any medications, vitamins, or supplements youre taking. When you have more of these than usual in your urine, it's often a sign of a problem somewhere in your urinary tract. Interpretation of Urinalysis and Urine Culture for UTI Treatment. Additionally, UTIs in pregnant people can be dangerous for the pregnant person and baby. dfghjfghj 21 Comments - Posted Aug 11 How did you guys LIVE through this? Your provider inserts a special test strip called a urine dipstick into the sample to test for nitrite-positive pee. A positive result of nitrites (nitrites in urine +) in the urine is helpful for diagnosis. Learn more about the different causes of blood in urine in males and females here. Barbara Hebert, MLS( ASCP) CM, is a Medical Laboratory Scientist in rural Montana. Nitrites in the urine are diagnosed with a test called a urinalysis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2. No blood should be present in urine. This is where checking the number of leukocytes (and their components) is a useful tool to help identify the presence of various conditions including infection or inflammation. 10. Urinary tract infection. An official website of the United States government. Solve your problem quick & easy with online consultation. The number of white blood cells in the urine can increase if there is a kidney infection. Diagnosis and management of acute pyelonephritis in adults. Infection. Registered in England and Wales. In most cases, a simple course of antibiotics will resolve a UTI. Pregnancy physiological changes can result in pyuria (leukocytes in urine) In pregnancy we treat asymptomatic bacteruria. Isn't meat high in nitrates and nitrites, I have exactly this! 2001 Dec;5(6):580-6. doi: 10.1006/niox.2001.0371. What does it mean if you have leukocytes in urine with no nitrates? Bono MJ, et al. . Are older than 65 years. I am starting to worry something is wrong with my kidneys . Communication is most important! These strips detect Leukocytes, Nitrite, Urobilinogen, Protein, pH, Blood, Specific Gravity, Ketone, Bilirubin, Glucose. 2015;10(3):e0119712. The only symptom I have is mild burning during urination, no blood, no foul-smelling urine, no pelvic pain. The medical term for nitrites in urine is nitrituria (NI-tri-tur-EE-ah). You may still have it if your leukocyte test turns positive. If you have nitrituria, your doctor may want to send your urine sample to a laboratory for a urine culture test. Michael L. Wilson, Loretta Gaido, Laboratory Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infections in Adult Patients, Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 38, Issue 8, 15 April 2004, Pages 11501158, https://doi.org/10.1086/383029, 6. I am continuing to drink more water than usual, and Im also taking over the counter antibacterial tablets for UTI. They may prescribe antibiotics to treat the UTI. There are different dipsticks to test for various substances in pee. Also, a person AFABs urethral opening is closer to the anus, where stool comes out. There are a few steps doctors use to analyze urine in this procedure. People with chronic kidney disease can now monitor their kidney health at home, using a test kit and a smartphone. High levels of leukocytes in the urine typically indicate an infection in the urinary system. Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infectionsacross age groups. Doctors will first order a urine analysis (urinalysis) to screen the urine for abnormalities which may be enough to detect any problems. Most of the nitrites that formabout 75%leave your body through urine. Have undergone the urine test wnd found nitrite positive as well as urine leukocytes to be 70. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/01/2022. A high number of leukocytes can indicate a person has kidney stones. Conversely, a false-negative result may also occur on occasion. She also happens to be a Uqora customer! A false-positive result can be caused by various factors including: A dirty catch urine sample may also contaminate a specimen with leukocytes from the vagina, which is why you may be asked to clean yourself and catch urine midstream; however, the current scientific evidence suggests that cleansing procedures may not be necessary as they have not been shown to decrease urine contamination significantly. Change your underwear and clean your genitals on a daily basis; in some cases, washing your undergarments and towels with a disinfectant will be needed as well. Other blockages to the urinary tract can also increase the risk of infection and the presence of leukocytes. Upgrade to Patient Pro Medical Professional? A urinalysis (urine test) can detect nitrites in urine. When bacteria enter your urinary tract, the bacteria turn these nitrates into a different nitrogen chemical called nitrites. The doctor will order additional tests as needed. Best food forward: Are algae the future of sustainable nutrition? Is it possible to catch a UTI sexually without it being an STD? Healthy pee shouldnt have bacteria or nitrites. Does positive nitrite mean UTI? Males can get urinary tract infections (UTIs), and they are typically classified as complicated infections. Urinary tract infections are the most common cause of nitrites in urine. 2. Exp Ther Med. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. eCollection 2019. Mohammed HO, Ahmed Alaa El-Din E, Farag AI. Conclusions: Today I bought an OTC UTI test strip, the results of which say I have nitrites in my urine but no leukocytes. Leukocytes or white blood cells are blood cells involved in the immune response. Use of the forums is subject to our Terms of Use This is different from the general population. 2006 Jun;274(3):150-4. doi: 10.1007/s00404-006-0149-8. Leukocytes in urine no nitrites A 35-year-old female asked: I have high wbc/leukocytes in urine, but no nitrites. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Methods: official website and that any information you provide is encrypted Nitrites. A quasi-reagentless point-of-care test for nitrite and unaffected by oxygen and cyanide. Chu CM, Lowder JL. Answer (1 of 2): It depends on the context Leucocytes are normal parameters found in urine but in small quantities that can not be detected using a combi-9 urine analysis. Almost everyone eats a diet that includes nitrates. What does this mean? This is why the presence of nitrites in urine is a sign that you may have a UTI. My GP used those UTI strip tests on me. Neutrophils (one of the types of granulocytes) are the first cops on the scene in an immune response, and their presence will be detected by an LE test even before you start to experience noticeable symptoms. (https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/interpretation-of-urinalysis-and-urine-culture-for-uti-treatment), (https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/nitrites-in-urine/), (https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/urinary-tract-infections), (https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/u/urinary-tract-infections-in-adults), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, Learn more about the differences between bladder infections and UTIs here, Learn about the differences between kidney infections and UTIs here, Discover 10 ways to prevent kidney stones here, Learn more about the side effects of holding in urine here, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470195/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4758505/, https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/uti.html, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases. Nitrate reduction to nitrite, nitric oxide and ammonia by gut bacteria under physiological conditions. Heart failure: Could a low sodium diet sometimes do more harm than good? Our clinical information meets the standards set by the NHS in their Standard for Creating Health Content guidance. intermittent cloudy/smelly urine and fatigue. This medical condition affects women more than men. Whats the outlook for people with nitrites in urine? Most of the time, nitrates pass through our bodies without causing problems. All rights reserved. Many of these types of bacteria change a normal chemical in your urine, called nitrates, into another chemical, called nitrites. Antioxid Redox Signal. If you get frequent UTIs that are difficult to treat, your provider may order a urine culture before prescribing antibiotics. Some of the signs and symptoms that patients may experience along with detection of leukocytes in urine without nitrates are listed below: Fever along with tremors or shivering Elimination of cloudy and smelly urine Presence of blood in urine Urge to urinate on a frequent basis Bladder tumor Inflammation or swelling of the kidneys ou can then finish urinating in the toilet. You may also get a urinalysis if you have UTI symptoms. Together, all of these white blood cells help the body fight infection, inflammation, and other illnesses or diseases. Negative nitrite and low leukocytes indicate positive test for infection. Leukocytes in the urine without nitrite If the test for leukocyte esterase is positive but finds no nitrite, an infection may still be present. Rachael is a freelance healthcare writer and critical care nurse based near Cleveland, Ohio. This can be caused by certain obstructions by tumors, stones or in men by enlarged prostate. If you have any more questions, I would be happy to assist you. A positive result from the nitrite test is a sign of a significant bacteriuria and a urine culture is needed to know the responsible bacteria. Avoid touching the inside of the container. Its presence can indicate, for example, a urinary tract infection or kidney/bladder stones. This information will allow them to prescribe a more targeted antibiotic. Both of these substances are indicators of infection. Antioxidants. (2000). Other symptoms of infection or dysfunction in the urinary tract include: If a person presents with symptoms of a UTI or other urinary tract dysfunction, doctors will perform tests to diagnose the underlying cause. Ghosh R, Gopalakrishnan S, Savitha R, Renganathan T, Pushpavanam S. Sci Rep. 2019 May 27;9(1):7896. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-44455-1. The pathologist or technician will carry out further testing to confirm the presence of an infection. Send urine for culture to confirm diagnosis. Monteiro T, Gomes S, Jubete E, Aorga L, Silveira CM, Almeida MG. Sci Rep. 2019 Feb 22;9(1):2622. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-39209-y. What is causing the nitrite-positive urine? Published on May 15, 2017 The presence of nitrates in urine is often considered a predictor of a urinary tract infection (UTI). A nitrite urine test isnt always accurate, so your provider will check for other signs of a UTI. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. BMC Infect Dis. In the case of an active infection or leukocytes in your urine, you should not have sex until completely cleared. Testing urine for nitrites is a quick way to screen for a UTI, but other tests like urine cultures can provide more detailed and accurate information. About 25% of the nitrates you consume are transformed into nitrites by bacteria. Most species of bacteria that colonize in the urine cause nitrates, which are derived from dietary metabolites, to be converted to nitrites. By Rachael Zimlich, BSN, RN We want the forums to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the forums are Nitrates are excreted in urine and are reduced to nitrites through the action of the enzyme nitrate reductase. Types of leukocytes include: granulocytes (which are made up of neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils), monocytes, and lymphocytes (T cells and B cells). The test strips that I use are 10LG Parameter Urine Reagent Strips which can be bought on line at a reasonable price. Nitrites in urine (nitrituria) only occur when you have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Read our. You may start to feel better after just a few days of antibiotics. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the If this is the case, further laboratory testing can be performed to be certain. Discover 10 ways to prevent kidney stones here. You may be asked to provide a clean catch urine sample. Blood (haemoglobin). Leukocytes in Urine - No Nitrates Health Destination 8.04K subscribers 34K views 3 years ago The video explains what leukocytes in urine means. The dead cells are mostly eliminated through urine. This article will look at common causes of leukocytes in the urine. Both nitrates and nitrites are found naturally in certain vegetables, like leafy greens, celery, and cabbage, but are also added to processed foods as a preservative. (6). A urine culture usually takes about two to three days to be completed, sometimes longer depending on the type of bacteria. But in cases when they are detected in high quantity, it means your body is fighting an infection like bacteria infections.. Ramakrishnan K & Scheid DC. As always, consult with your doctor to see what reference ranges were used for your test and be sure to voice any concerns you may have. Leukocytes can be present in urine for many, many, reasons. UTIs are caused by different types of bacteria. The presence of leukocyturia does not always correlate with bacteriuria. I have had a UTI before once, but I was kind of an idiot about it and did nothing to make it better. If urine dipstick is negative for all nitrite, leukocyte and RBC, UTI is less likely. An absence of leukocyte esterase in the urine means that the urine is not likely to contain white blood cells, so it is not likely to be carrying infectious agents. In most cases, there are warning symptoms that allow knowing the presence of an infection, such as fever , general malaise, vomiting, abdominal pain or urination , as well as burning, which is very uncomfortable. Your doctor can identify this condition through a urine test. Lifestyle changes can help reduce the symptoms of some conditions that cause leukocytes to enter the urine. Thats the really simplistic version, but hopefully helps to set the stage for the rest of this section. In the absence of bacteria, nitrite is not found in urine. Symptoms began: January 2010 Diagnosed with IC: May 2010 Began with burning . Among children with positive leukocyte esterase and negative nitrite, only 0.7% of cases had enterococcal UTI. What kinds of infections generally are known to cause nitrites without leukocytes? In many cases, your UTI symptoms should begin to improve within a few days of starting antibiotic treatment. and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified Did you find out what it was? Leukocyte negative means that the amount of white blood cells in your urine are low and not secreting leukocyte esterase, which is a compound white blood cells excrete when they're activated, or fighting off an infection. If your nitrites represent a UTI, they can become more severe as they spread toward the kidneys. On the other hand, when an individual has a suppressed or compromised immune system, leukocyte production is naturally low. Urine that smells like ammonia isn't always cause for concern, but there are some instances where it can be. Antibiotics kill the bacteria causing the infection. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. Emergency Medical News, Urine Dipstick Testing has Limitations, but is Still Useful in the ED, James R. Roberts, MD, 11/17/2020. 2019 Sep 3;10:2020. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02020. have you been checked for Bacterial Vaginosis ? as being in breach of those terms. Urine Having Leukocytes Without Nitrates: Causes and Treatments When nitrates are positive in your urine, it probably means that a urinary tract infection caused by gram-negative bacteria is present. UTIs usually have symptoms you can notice, such as: Some people wont experience symptoms of a UTI right away. i have a lower back discomfort. government site. I was taking bactrim.. . For example, a study in 2015 found that the best way to check for a UTI was to test for the presence of nitrites and leukocytes in the urine. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. Didnt seek treatment, didnt increase water intake or buy OTC UTI medicine. Involvement of NLRP3 and NLRC4 Inflammasome in Uropathogenic. Since the last one worked itself out with none of these precautions or treatment, and this one is still in very early stages and is still very mild, I think I should be able to fight it off on my own without seeing a doc, which for a number of reasons Id like to avoid unless I absolutely have to. Some bacteria, for example, Enterobacteriaceae, convert nitrates to nitrites. The most likely reason is pregnancy. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Remember, nitrituria without other symptoms of a UTI may not indicate an infection. If you are not pregnant and the nitrites are accompanied by symptoms, the treatment usually involves a course of antibiotics. I have tested my own urine for infection and sometimes leukocytes and nitrates are negative but a lot of the time leukocytes are positive and nitrates neg.