We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Rapid Urine Test Detects Bacteria Causing Pneumonia

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 28 Sep 2014
A simple, quick, first-of-a-kind urine test for detecting Streptococcus pneumoniae, one of the bacteria that are a leading cause of pneumonia, can also be used with cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) of patients with meningitis. More...


The aim of the test is to rule in S. pneumoniae as the probable cause of the pneumonia and the test results can enable a probable diagnosis to be made quicker so treatment can be started sooner with the appropriate antibiotics to combat the S. pneumoniae.

To do the test, a swab is dipped into a urine specimen, removed and inserted into a special test device. The test detects S. pneumoniae antigen in the urine of infected patients within 15 minutes. A positive result indicates that the patient most likely has pneumococcal pneumonia. Results should be confirmed with laboratory culture of the bacteria.

Conventional methods for diagnosing pneumonia, primarily using sputum or blood, are lengthy and require from two to three days up to several weeks. These conventional tests are often complex and the results are not always reliable. The new test, called Alere BinaxNOW Streptococcus pneumoniae Antigen Card (Binax, Inc.; Portland, ME, USA) is much quicker, more reliable and easier to use.

The Binax test was found to be 93% accurate in detecting S. pneumoniae when it was performed on urine samples from 373 patients known to have pneumococcal pneumonia. It was 78% accurate when performed on urine from 215 patients who had typical symptoms of pneumonia, but may not have had the disease. However, test results were not reliable in people who had been vaccinated for pneumonia within the past five days. The urine test’s sensitivity was 86% and specificity was 94%, while for CSF samples the sensitivity was 97% and specificity 99%.

It is often very difficult to distinguish between a respiratory infection that is caused by a virus and one which is caused by a bacterium and this is critical distinction because a viral infection will not respond to the commonly used antibiotics whereas a bacterial infection usually will. The Binax test can help in detecting the bacterium S. pneumoniae but it does not detect other bacteria nor does it detect viruses capable of causing pneumonia.

Related Links:

Binax, Inc. 



New
Gold Member
Hematology Analyzer
Medonic M32B
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
HBV DNA Test
GENERIC HBV VIRAL LOAD VER 2.0
New
Rapid Test Reader
DIA5000
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: EvoLiver is the first test to receive FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in five years in the liver cancer surveillance space (Photo courtesy of Mursla Bio)

Patient-Friendly Blood Test to Transform Liver Cancer Surveillance

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancer, is the fastest-growing cause of cancer-related deaths. Although clinical guidelines recommend routine surveillance for high-risk... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: CellLENS enables the potential precision therapy strategies against specific immune cell populations in the tissue environment (Photo courtesy of MIT)

New AI System Uncovers Hidden Cell Subtypes to Advance Cancer Immunotherapy

To produce effective targeted therapies for cancer, scientists need to isolate the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of cancer cells, both within and across different tumors. These differences significantly... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The Check4 gene-detection platform (Photo courtesy of IdentifySensors)

Electronic Biosensors Used to Detect Pathogens Can Rapidly Detect Cancer Cells

A major challenge in healthcare is the early and affordable detection of serious diseases such as cancer. Early diagnosis remains difficult due to the complexity of identifying specific genetic markers... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.