A method for measuring the bacteria content of fluids such as urine and blood, in which a glycoprotein or glycopeptide is attached to the bacteria and a label attached to or inherent to the glycoprotein or glycopeptide provides a means for determining the amount of bacteria present. A preferred glycoprotein is alkaline phosphatase, which is an enzyme capable of attaching to all bacteria present in the fluid sample and inherently includes a label moiety in that color can be developed by addition of known reagents.