The value of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) measurement in the detection of bacterial urinary tract infection in symptomatic and asymptomatic bacteriuria patients

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections, while asymptomatic bacteriuria involves bacterial presence without symptoms. Diagnosing UTIs can be challenging, leading to complications or antibiotic misuse. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), an early proinflammatory cytokine detected in urine, shows potential as a rapid diagnostic biomarker. This study investigated urinary IL-1β levels in symptomatic UTI patients, asymptomatic bacteriuria, and controls, and compared IL-1β levels between multidrug-resistant (MDR) and drug-sensitive infections. A total of 150 subjects were enrolled: 50 symptomatic UTIs, 50 asymptomatic bacteriuria, and 50 controls. Escherichia coli was the most common isolate, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Cefotaxime, amikacin, and cefixime showed good sensitivity, with cefixime more effective in asymptomatic bacteriuria. IL-1β levels were significantly higher in symptomatic UTIs, followed by asymptomatic bacteriuria, and lowest in controls. The highest IL-1β levels were associated with E. coli infections and MDR strains. In conclusion, urinary IL-1β is a promising biomarker for UTI diagnosis, distinguishing cases from controls and correlating with bacterial resistance patterns, supporting its incorporation into clinical practice.