This test cannot be ordered or performed at Allina Health. Urine dipstick leukocyte esterase testing is not valid or FDA-approved for any specimens other than urine.
If infection is suspected and prior fluid cultures have been negative, the recommended test is 16s rDNA Sequencing. This test detects a DNA sequence common to all bacteria. If bacterial DNA is detected in the fluid, DNA sequencing will be performed to identify the bacteria.