Scientists at the University of Reading have developed a new test for urinary tract infections. The method delivers results in hours instead of days. Published March 31 in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, the study marks a significant leap in diagnostics.
Key Details
On average, the test determines effective antibiotics in about 5.85 hours. Current lab methods typically require two to three days for the same information. This reduction in wait time addresses critical delays in patient care.
The research evaluated 352 urine samples from patients suspected of having UTIs. Results from the new test matched standard laboratory methods in 96.95% of cases across seven first line antibiotics. A second analysis focused on 90 duplicate samples to determine whether storage conditions affected accuracy.
"By the time the laboratory delivers the result under current methods, a patient may already have finished their antibiotics," Dr. Oliver Hancox said. He serves as Chief Executive Officer of Astratus Limited, the University of Reading spin-out company. The firm plans to take the test to market to improve treatment outcomes.
What This Means
According to NHS data, UTIs have resulted in more than 800,000 hospital admissions in England over the past five years. At the same time, about one in four urine samples tested in NHS laboratories contains bacteria that are resistant to commonly used antibiotics. This resistance poses a significant economic and health burden on the healthcare system. Antimicrobial resistance costs the global economy billions annually in lost productivity and treatment expenses. Faster diagnosis reduces unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions and lowers hospitalization costs.
The new method removes the need for overnight culturing and simplifies the testing process. A cartridge containing small tubes preloaded with different antibiotics is placed directly into the urine sample. The system then uses optical imaging to monitor bacterial growth in each tube.
If bacteria stop growing, the antibiotic in that tube is effective. If growth continues, the drug is not suitable for the patient. This approach allows doctors to identify the correct treatment in less than six hours.
Researchers used 352 urine samples that had already been collected during routine testing at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital. They also conducted a separate experiment using 90 fresh samples from the emergency department. Each of these samples was split into two, with boric acid added to one set to test whether the preservative would affect results.
Professor Mike Lewis, NIHR Scientific Director for Innovation, highlighted the broader challenge of antimicrobial resistance. He noted the rapid urine test is a fantastic example of real-world solutions to AMR. The government committed to developing such technologies in its 10-Year Health Plan.
The findings showed 98.75% agreement, confirming that the preservative does not reduce accuracy. This is the first study to directly compare preserved and unpreserved urine samples using a rapid direct-from-urine testing method. Materials provided by University of Reading indicate this represents a key milestone for Astratus Limited. The company was established in November 2024 to bring the test to market. Wider adoption could significantly reduce the global burden of sepsis and infection-related mortality.
