Utility of urine reagent strips in rapid bedside diagnosis of bacterial meningitis

Background: Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency and late diagnosis and treatment can lead to neurological damage and death. For definitive diagnosis of meningitis, laboratory based CSF analysis is required which is based on microscopy, protein and sugar estimation. This requires laboratory set up with experienced pathologist and long turn around time. Hence urinary reagent strips as a semiquantitative method can be applied for CSF analysis. This method can be used where laboratory set up is not available as well as bedside test for early diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. The present prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the utility of urine reagent strips in rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. The aim of the present was to evaluate the role of urine reagent strips in the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in suspected cases of meningitis.Methods: The prospective study was carried out in the department of pathology in a tertiary care centre for a period of 6 months from September 2018 to February 2019. CSF analysis of suspected cases of meningitis was done with urine reagent strip as well as with standard laboratory method. The results of both were compared.Results: Out of 79 cases of meningitis, 68.35% cases were of bacterial meningitis. The specificity and sensitivity of CSF analysis with reagent strip was 93.33% and 82.35% respectively, for cell count, 94.4% and 88.2% respectively for proteins and 91.3% and 60.2% respectively for glucose.Conclusions: Semiquantitative analysis of CSF sample with urine reagent strips helps in rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis and can be useful to facilitate therapeutic decisions in resource constrained settings.

Utilidad de las tiras reactivas para el diagnóstico temprano de peritonitis bacteriana espontánea en pacientes cirróticos con ascitis / Usefulness of test strips for early diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients with ascites

Introducción: La peritonitis bacteriana espontánea requiere un diagnóstico temprano para el inicio de antibioticoterapia. El estudio diagnóstico ideal es el citoquímico del líquido ascítico, el cual puede ser costoso, demorado y de disponibilidad limitada en centros primarios de atención en salud. Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad y precisión diagnóstica de las tiras reactivas Multistix 10SG para el diagnóstico de peritonitis bacteriana espontánea en pacientes cirróticos con ascitis. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo de prueba diagnóstica en pacientes cirróticos con ascitis. Se determinó el conteo de leucocitos del líquido ascítico por la escala colorimétrica de la tira reactiva Multistix 10SG y se comparó con el gold standard para el diagnóstico (polimorfonucleares ≥ 250 células/mm³). Resultados: De 174 pacientes con ascitis (51,7% mujeres, promedio de edad 59 años) 30 fueron diagnosticados con peritonitis bacteriana espontánea. Con un punto de corte grado ++, la tira reactiva tuvo sensibilidad 73,3%, especificidad 96,5%, valor predictivo positivo 81,4%, valor predictivo negativo 94,5%, razón de probabilidad positiva 21,2 y razón de probabilidad negativa 0,27. Conclusiones: Las tiras reactivas tienen adecuada especificidad y valor predictivo negativo, siendo una herramienta de bajo costo, uso sencillo, rápida interpretación y fácil acceso, para apoyar la decisión de no iniciar antibiótico en pacientes con ascitis y sospecha de peritonitis bacteriana espontánea. Por su baja sensibilidad no reemplazan al estudio citoquímico como prueba de elección para el diagnóstico definitivo, pero si es útil para optimizar el abordaje inicial de estos pacientes.

Introduction: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis requires an early diagnosis to start antibiotic therapy. The ideal diagnostic study is the cytochemical of ascites fluid, which can be expensive, delayed and of limited availability in primary health care centers. Objective: Evaluate the usefulness and diagnostic accuracy of Multistix 10SG test strips for the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients with ascites. Materials and methods: Observational descriptive study of diagnostic test in cirrhotic patients with ascites. The leukocyte count of ascites fluid was determined by the colorimetric scale of the Multistix 10SG test strip and compared with the gold standard for diagnosis (polymorphonuclear ≥ 250 cells / mm³). Results: Of 174 patients with ascites (51.7% women, average age 59 years) 30 were diagnosed with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. With a grade ++ cut-off point, the test strip had sensitivity 73.3%, specificity 96.5%, positive predictive value 81.4%, negative predictive value 94.5%, positive likelihood ratio 21.2 and negative likelihood ratio of 0.27. Conclusions: The test strips have adequate specificity and negative predictive value, being a low cost tool, simple use, quick interpretation and easy access, to support the decision not to start an antibiotic in patients with ascites and suspected spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Due to their low sensitivity they do not replace the cytochemical study as the test of choice for the definitive diagnosis, but it is useful for optimizing the initial approach of these patients.

Utility of urine reagent strips in cerebrospinal fluid analysis: An aid to bedside diagnosis of meningitis

Context: The provision of initial treatment to a patient with suspected meningitis depends greatly on early recognition and rapid diagnostic evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leukocytes, proteins, and glucose. The diagnosis is time critical and timely intervention has an implication on the prognosis and outcome. Reasonably, sound laboratorial setups are not available in our country in the primary health-care level and, even in the settings where they are available, long waiting periods precede the availability of results. Aims: We conducted this study to emphasize the role of urine reagent strip test as a rapid diagnostic tool in CSF analysis. Settings and Design: This is a prospective single-blinded study on 100 consecutive CSF samples received with in 1h of tap. Subjects and Methods: All the 100 samples were subjected to definitive test being CSF microscopy and biochemical analysis of proteins and sugar and index test being a semi quantitative analysis of CSF leukocytes, proteins, and sugar by urinary reagent strips. Statistical Analysis Used: The diagnostic accuracy of the reagent strip for different cutoff levels was estimated and tabulated in the form of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and likelihood ratio. Results: 77% of cases were in the pediatric age group and 23% cases were adults. The sensitivity and specificity for leukocytes by the strip method for ?15 cells/cumm were 89.28% and 98.61%, respectively, which increased to 100% with an increase in the counts. The reagent strip test had a sensitivity of 85.71% and a specificity of 95.65% for the protein levels >30 mg/dl which increased to 100% with an increase in protein levels. The reagent strip test for glucose was highly specific (100%) but less sensitive. Conclusions: The results indicate that urine reagent strip is instrumental in bedside CSF analysis and has a future stand in the diagnosis of meningitis.

Quality Improvement of Urinalysis Results Based on Automatic Sediment Urinalysis and Urine Strip Results

BACKGROUND: Microscopic examinations are usually performed to confirm urine sediments in samples flagged in automated urinalysis. The aim of this study was to analyze the review rates and the difference in urinalysis results according to review rules. METHODS: A total of 1,408 urine samples submitted for health screening were collected. The urine chemistry test and urine sediment test were performed using EikenUS 3100 (Eiken Chemical Co. Ltd., Japan) and Sysmex UF-1000i (Sysmex Co., Japan), respectively. We assessed the rate of agreement between the 2 analyses and the kappa values for white blood cells (WBCs) and red blood cells (RBCs). Microscopic examinations were performed for all cases of discordant results between the urine strip and automated sediment analysis, some cases of concordant results, and cases of albuminuria. RESULTS: The review rate was 14.3%. Microscopic examinations were additionally performed on 77 samples (77/1,207, 6.4%) including 29 and 56 samples flagged for WBCs and RBCs, respectively. Based on the results of microscopic examination, the false-positive and the false-negative results of the urine chemistry test and automatic sediment analysis were corrected. Among concordant results between two methods, a clinically significant number of false-negatives were identified (6 results of WBC detection [6/125, 4.8%] and 4 of RBC detection [4/145, 2.8%]). Among the 22 unflagged cases of albuminuria, pathologic casts were detected in 21 cases (21/22, 95.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Microscopic examination based on the combined results of the two analyses improved the quality of the test.

Discussion of Effect on Nitrite Test Results of Reagent Strips Placed Time on COMBI-SCAN XL Automatic Urine Analyzer / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To explore the division XL automatic urine analyzer reagent strips placed time impact on nitrite (NIT) test results,to ensure that provide accurate and reliable experimental data for clinical,and improve clinical diagnostic rate. Methods Used a new load reagent storehouse article in the new reagents respectively in <5,30 min;1,2,3,3.5,4,4.5,5, 5.5,6,6.5,7 and 8 h,in different period,16 0.9 g/dl saline NIT in the false positive rate,and carried on the comparison to different times NIT false-positive rate analysis.Results <3.5 h NIT false positive rate was 0% (0/16),4~4.5 h false pos-itive rate was 18.8% (3/16),5~5.5 h false positive rate was 43.8% (7/16),6~6.5 h was 62.5% (10/16),7~8 h was 87.5% (14/16).More than 4 h each time comparison between NIT false positive rate,differences were statistically signifi-cant (χ2 =11.7~59.2,all P <0.01).Conclusion Division XL automatic urine analyzer reagent strips placed after 4 h,NIT false-positive rate started to rise,NIT false-positive rate was significantly increased after 5 h.Therefore,strengthen the divi-sion XL automatic urine analyzer reagent strips placed reasonable time management,should be in the < 3.5 h advisable,it helps reduce the NIT false positive rate.

Diagnostic accuracy of urine dipstick for proteinuria in older outpatients

BACKGROUND: The urine dipstick is widely used as an initial screening tool for the evaluation of proteinuria; however, its diagnostic accuracy has not yet been sufficiently evaluated. Therefore, we evaluated its diagnostic accuracy using spot urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) and total protein/creatinine ratio (PCR) in proteinuria. METHODS: Using PCR > or = 0.2g/g or > or = 0.5g/g and ACR > or = 300mg/g or > or = 30mg/g as the reference standard, we calculated the diagnostic accuracy profile: sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: PCR and ACR were available for 10,348 and 3,873 instances of dipstick testing. The proportions with PCR > or = 0.2g/g, > or = 0.5g/g and ACR > or = 300mg/g, > or = 30mg/g were 38.2%, 24.6% and 8.9%, 31.7%, respectively. The AUCs for PCR > or = 0.2g/g, > or = 0.5g/g, and ACR > or = 300mg/g were 0.935 (trace: closest to ideal point), 0.968 (1+), and 0.983 (1+), respectively. Both sensitivity and specificity were > 80% except for PCR > or = 0.5g/g with trace cutoff. For the reference standard of ACR > or = 30mg/g, the AUC was 0.797 (trace) and the sensitivity was 63.5%. CONCLUSION: Urine dipstick test can be used for screening in older outpatients with ACR > or = 300mg/g or PCR as the reference standard for proteinuria. However, we cannot recommend the test as a screening tool with ACR > or = 30mg/g as the reference owing to its low sensitivity.

Clareamento dental caseiro por meio de fitas adesivas: relato de caso / Home bleaching using whitening strips: a case report

O clareamento caseiro, com peróxido de carbamida a 10%, aplicado por meio de moldeiras personalizadas, ainda é o protocolo de tratamento mais utilizado, quando se quer branquear os dentes. No entanto, está disponível técnica mais recente, que consiste na utilização de fitas adesivas pré-contornadas, impregnadas com agente clareador, que contêm diferentes concentrações de peróxido de hidrogênio. Aplicadas uma ou duas vezes ao dia, as fitas são facilmente adaptadas aos dentes anteriores. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar relato de clareamento dental caseiro com utilização de fitas adesivas impregnadas com peróxido de hidrogênio a 6%, abordando suas principais características, indicações e limitações.

Vital bleaching using 10% Carbamide Peroxide and custom-made trays is still the most used technique for dental bleaching. However, there is a novel technique for bleaching vital teeth using whitening strips containing different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The strips are easily adapted in a QD or BID regimen over the anterior teeth. The aim of this paper is to present a clinical case where 6% hydrogen peroxide strips were used, and to discuss the main characteristics, indications and limitations.

A simple approach improving the performance of urine reagent strips for rapid diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis in Nigerian schoolchildren

In Nigeria, schistosomiasis, caused predominantly by the species Schistosoma haematobium, is highly endemic in resource-poor communities. We performed a school-based survey in two rural communities in Osun State (Southwestern Nigeria) and assessed macrohaematuria, microhaematuria and proteinuria as indirect indicators for the presence of disease. Urine samples were inspected macroscopically for haematuria and screened for microhaematuria and proteinuria using urine reagent strips. The microscopic examination of schistosome eggs was used as the gold standard for diagnosis. In total, 447 schoolchildren were included in this study and had a 51 percent prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis. The sensitivity of microhaematuria (68 percent) and proteinuria (53 percent) for infection with S. haematobium was relatively low. In patients with a heavy infection (>500 eggs/10 mL), the sensitivity of microhaematuria was high (95 percent). When the presence of macrohaematuria and the concomitant presence of microhaematuria and proteinuria were combined, it revealed a sensitivity of 63 percent, a specificity of 93 percent and a positive predictive value of 91 percent. Macrohaematuria also showed high specificity (96 percent) and a positive predictive value of 92 percent, while sensitivity was < 50 percent. These data show that combining urine reagent strip tests (presence of proteinuria and microhaematuria) and information on macrohaematuria increased the accuracy of the rapid diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis in an endemic rural West African setting. This simple approach can be used to increase the quality of monitoring of schistosomiasis in schoolchildren.

The establishment of immunochromatographic tests trips with colloidal gold for early and rapid diagnostic of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To establish an early,simple and rapid colloidal gold strip method for the detection of IgM against hantavirus nucleocapsid protein in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome(HFRS).Methods Purified recombinant Hantavirus nucleoprotein(rNP)was labeled by colloidal gold particles and then sprayed and fixed on fiberglass membrane as the combination pad.Anti-Human IgM(μ-chain specific)antibody produced in goat was fixed in the detection area,and mouse antihantavirus antibody was fixed in the quality control area.Both of them were on nitrocellous membrane strip in tandem.Together with a specimen pad ahead.The conbination pad and the nitrocellous membrane were assembled into a test strip.The colloidal gold strip assay was compared with ELISA for evaluation of specificity and sensitivity.Results The colloidal gold strip tests showed positive in the serum samples from 50 cases of HFRS which was clinically diagnosed and then verified by ELISA within 10-15 minutes.Whereas 30 serum samples of healthy donors have tested negative.Conclusions Our new colloidal gold immunochromatographic test strip method was well concordant with the ELISA assay,but the former was more raoid and simole.It could be used primary medical services.

Practical Application of Semiquantitative Procalcitonin Test in Emergency Department

PURPOSE: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a good marker of infection but is still not routinely used. Here, we assessed the usefulness of a semi-quantitative procalcitonin test kit (PCT-Q(R)), a rapid and simple test for evaluating sepsis in the emergency department. METHODS: We recruited 80 patients who visited the emergency center and with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Patients were classified into 4 groups according to PCT levels using PCT-Q[Ed-Trademark signs only have to be given one time in a document]. Mortality rate, bacteremia, severity score, and severity of sepsis (SIRS/sepsis/severe sepsis/septic shock) were assessed with the criteria of the American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine Consensus Conference. We calculated a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve), cut-off value, and the related diagnostic parameters of each cut-off value. RESULTS: Higher PCT levels were significantly associated with increased mortality, bacteremia, and severity scores. PCT levels could discriminate between sepsis and severe sepsis at a threshold of 2 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: PCT-Q is a prognostic marker of infectious disease, but low levels do not always indicate a good prognosis. PCT levels increase with aggravation of sepsis, especially at values greater than 2 ng/ml for severe sepsis.

Valor de cinta reactiva para el diagnostico de infecciones del liquido ascítico

Se propuso determinar la utilidad de las cintas reactivas utilizadas en pruebas de orina (Multistix 10SG) para el diagnostico presuntivo de infecciones del liquido ascítico, a través de la determinación de esterasa leucocitaria en el mismo, el cual es un predictor conocido de la presencia de polimorfonucleares en líquidos corporales. Aun grupo de 43 pacientes cirróticos con ascitis y que acudieron al Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo, se les realizó paracentesis diagnostica o terapéutica durante un periodo de 10 meses del año 2004. Se determino en las muestras obtenidas de liquido ascítico conteo celular de polimorfonucleares, cultivo y se realizó la prueba de esterasa lecucocitaria utilizando cintas reactivas para pruebas de orina. Los resultados negativos se consideraron negativos para infección (grados 0 y 1); los resultados +, ++, +++ se consideraron positivos para infección (grados 2, 3 y 4), se correlacionó así mismo cada resultado de cinta reactiva con casos de peritonitis bacteriana espontánea (PBE), bacteriascitis no complicada. De las 43 muestras analizadas 3 se catalogaron como PBE con cultivo negativo y fueron positivas para la prueba de esterasa leucocitaria (sensibilidad 100%);: de las 40 muestras con conteos menores de 250 polimorfonucleares por ml. 38 presentaron pruebas de esterasa negativa (especificidad 95%). El valor predictivo fue del 60% y el valor predictivo negativo del 100%. La utilización de cintas reactivas es eficaz en identificar la presencia esterasa leucocitaria en el liquido ascítico y por consiguiente, del diagnostico presuntivo de infecciones del liquido ascítico. Se aconseja su utilización en el diagnostico rápido de infecciones del liquido ascítico y para evitar el pasar por alto infecciones del liquido ascítico en pacientes sometidos a paracentesis terapéuticas intermitentes.

We planned to determine the utility of reagent strips for urine tests (Multistix 10SG) for the presumptive diagnosis of infections of ascitic fluid through leukocyte esterase determination in it, which is a known predictor of the presence of polymorphonuclear cells in corporal fluids. To a group of 43 cirrhotic patients with ascites that attended the University Hospital of Maracaibo, a diagnostic or therapeutic paracentesis was carried out for a 10 month period during the year 2004. We determined in the obtained samples of ascitic fluid, cellular count of polymorphonuclear cells, culture, and the leukocyte esterase test using the reagent strip designed for the testing in urine. Negative results were considered as such for infection (degrees 0 and 1); results +, ++ and +++ were considered positives for infections (degrees 2, 3 and 4), we also correlated each result of the reactive strip with cases of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), and noncomplicated bacteriascites. Of the 43 samples analyzed 3 were catalogued as SBP with a negative culture and were positive for the leukocyte esterase test (sensitivity 100%); of the 40 samples with counts lower than 250 polymorphonuclear cells by milliliter 38 presented a negative esterase test (specificity 95%). The positive predictive value was 60% and the negative predictive value was 100%. The use of reagent strips is effective in identifying the presence of leukocyte esterase in ascitic fluid and therefore on the presumptive diagnosis of infections of the ascitic fluid. Its use in the rapid diagnosis of infections of the ascitic fluid is advised and to avoid overlooking infections in cirrhotic patients undertaking intermittent therapeutic paracentesis.

Usefulness of Reagent Strips for the Diagnosis of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is one of the potentially life-threatening complications for patients with liver cirrhosis, and it has a mortality rate of over 20%. Early diagnosis of SBP and immediate use of an adequate antibiotic therapy are very important for achieving a better prognosis. The aim of our study was to assess the usefulness of reagent strips for making the rapid diagnosis of SBP. METHODS: A diagnostic paracentesis procedure was performed upon hospital admission in 257 cirrhotic patients (187 males, 70 females; mean age: 54 years) with ascites. Each fresh sample of ascitic fluid was tested using a reagent strip, and the result was scored as 0, 1+, 2+ or 3+. The leukocyte count, polymorphonuclear cell count, blood bottle culture, and chemistry of ascites were also done. RESULTS: We diagnosed 79 cases of SBP and 2 cases of secondary bacterial peritonitis by means of the polymorphonuclear cell count and the classical criteria. When a reagent strip result of 3+ was considered positive, the test's sensitivity was 86% (70 of 81), the specificity was 100% (176 of 176), and the positive predictive value was 94%. Furthermore, when a reagent strip result of 2+ or more was considered positive, the test sensitivity was 100% (81 of 81), the specificity was 99% (174 of 176), and negative predictive value was 99%. CONCLUSIONS: The use of reagent strips is a very sensitive and specific tool for the rapid diagnosis of SBP in cirrhotic patients. A positive result should be an indication for empirical antibiotic therapy, and a negative result may be useful as a screening test to exclude SBP.