Evaluation of a Urine Transport Kit on Urine Reagent Strip Testing

Abstract

A Urine Culture & Sensitivity Transport Kit was evaluated for the effect of the preservative used in this kit on urine reagent strip testing and microscopic analysis. Urine samples from 50 random patients were separated into unpreserved and preserved aliquots and tested for specific gravity, pH, protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, occult blood, and urobilinogen using the CLINILAB instrument. Agreement between chemical parameters and microscopic findings on unpreserved versus preserved samples was good (80% to 89%) to excellent (90% to 100%). Least agreement was observed for protein (84%), pH greater than 7, and specific gravity. Significant differences in specific gravity measurements between unpreserved and preserved urine samples, protein/pH disparities, and the cost of these kits suggest that the kits offer little advantage over prompt delivery and refrigeration when attempting routine urinalysis and culture from the same urine specimen.