Portable UTI Testing Platform Brings Lab-Quality Molecular Diagnostics to Point-Of-Care Settings

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 25 Apr 2023

The UTI assay panel can test for up to six urinary tract infections at the point-of-care (Photo courtesy of Llusern Scientific)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevalent bacterial infections worldwide, with 90% of patients being women and the risk increasing with age. UTIs can be painful, debilitating, and potentially lead to severe long-term complications, such as sepsis. However, suitable point-of-care diagnostic tools are lacking, leading to frequent over- and underdiagnosis. UTI treatments account for 10-20% of community antibiotic prescriptions, but many of these antibiotics are prescribed unnecessarily, contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance. Now, a new point-of-care UTI test can assist clinicians in making evidence-based decisions for UTI patients.

Llusern Scientific (Wales, UK) is launching its UTI assay panel which can test for up to six UTIs at the point-of-care, revolutionizing the way clinicians test for UTIs. The UTI assay panel will test for Escherichia coli (E-coli), Klebsiella spp, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Enterococcus spp, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This innovative test delivers results in just 40 minutes, avoiding decisions based on ambiguous clinical symptoms or imprecise urine dipstick tests. Clinical results thus far indicate 93% sensitivity and 99% specificity for the test. Additionally, the portable, user-friendly test requires no sample processing, making it adaptable for use in various patient populations and settings, potentially including community and emergency care.

Llusern’s UTI assay panel will run on Lodestar DX, a portable molecular platform designed for UTI and respiratory disease testing that provides lab-accurate results in 30 minutes. This cost-effective technology enables users to perform Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) reactions conveniently. The method allows for the amplification and detection of DNA or RNA in a wide array of bacterial and viral targets. Lodestar DX uses an internal algorithm to determine the positivity or negativity of a LAMP reaction, and this algorithm is compatible with numerous LAMP reactions. The system outputs real-time fluorescent reaction data that can be directly captured on a PC and stored for later offline analysis. Capable of running eight reactions simultaneously, Lodestar DX can be operated flexibly based on user requirements. It can be powered by a mains supply using its power adapter or a 15Vdc source like a standard vehicle lighter plug, enabling its use in remote locations.