HYPOGLUCOSURIA AND L-FORMS OF ESCHERICHIA COLI IN THE URINE

During screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria with the hypoglucosuria test, the urine from a seven-year-old girl showed low glucose values, but negative conventional cultures. Heavy growth of l-forms of Escherichia coli, unaccompanied by growth of the classical bacterial form, was obtained on two occasions. The girl had no symptoms, no past history of urinary tract infection, and had never been treated with antibiotics. Shortly afterwards she presented symptoms suggestive of urinary tract infection, accompanied on this occasion by growth of classical E. coli. The finding of subnormal, fasting urinary glucose levels in combination with negative conventional cultures may indicate a latent infection due to l-forms.