A new test for urinary tract infections can use a smartphone camera to aid quick diagnosis. The test means that diagnoses of UTIs will take just 25 minutes, which will be particularly beneficial in countries where urine samples are sent to a laboratory with a result not available for several days.
Developed by biological engineers at the University of Bath, the new technology allows a photograph to be taken of a urine sample test and then smartphone software can analyse the picture for the presence of E.coli bacterial cells, which cause UTIs.
Patients would have to pass a urine sample of a plastic micro-capillary strip, with an enzyme then added to cause a change in colour that can be captured on camera. The phone then analyses the concentration of E.coli in the urine sample.
‘The test is small and portable – so it has major potential for use in primary care settings and in developing countries,’ Dr Nuno Reis, from the University of Bath’s Department of Chemical Engineering told the Independent. ‘Currently, bacterial infections in UTIs are confirmed via microbiological testing of a urine sample. That is accurate, but time-consuming, taking several days.’
The test still needs to go through clinical trials as scientists continue to work on refining the software for better detection. They’re hoping that the test can be used to also detect other types of bacteria in urine.
Should the test pass clinical trials, doctors will be better able to ‘quickly rule in or rule out certain conditions’ and ‘make better decisions about the prescription of antibiotics’ according to the researchers.
‘The UK and wealthy countries have seen a big shift to decentralised diagnostics to reduce the load on national or regional labs and provide doctors with important tools to make informed diagnoses,’ Dr. Reis added. ’Driving more of this will bring better outcomes to patients in terms of speeding up the process but will also lower the cost to healthcare providers.’
UTIs are one of the world’s most common infections and are the leading cause of morbidity and health care expenditures across all ages, according to the World Health Organisation. More than 50% of women report having one at some point in their lives.
Click here for more information about the causes and symptoms of UTIs.
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