Abstract
The value of the chromogenic limulus assay for detection of gram-negative bacteria in urine was determined. The assay was performed in microtiter plates at room temperature. In 311 consecutively collected urine samples from patients with suspected urinary tract infection, the assay was positive in all 35 samples containing ⩾ 105 bacteria/ml. No false positive or false negative results were obtained. Four of six urine specimens from patients with gonococcal infection were positive in the assay, whereas samples from patients with chlamydial infection did not yield a positive result. The assay is a rapid and reliable method for detection of urinary tract infection caused by gram-negative bacteria when ⩾ 105 bacteria/ml are present.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abdelnoor, A. M. Effect of LPS on the clotting system. In: Nowotny, A. (ed.): Beneficial effects of endotoxins. Plenum Press, New York, 1983, p. 75–90.
Levin, J., Bang, F. B. The role of endotoxin in the extracellular coagulation of limulus blood. Bulletin of the Johns Hopkins Hospital 1964, 115: 265–274.
Iwanaga, S., Morita, T., Harada, T., Nakamura, S., Niwa, M., Takada, K., Kimura, T., Sakakibara, S. Chromogenic substrates for horseshoe crab clotting enzyme. Its application for the assay of bacterial endotoxins. Hemostasis 1978, 7: 183–188.
Pearson, F. C., Dubczak, J., Weary, M., Bruszer, G., Donohue, G. Detection of endotoxin in the plasma of patients with gram-negative bacterial sepsis by the limulus amoebocyte lysate assay. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1985, 21: 865–868.
Saubolle, M., Jorgensen, J. Use of the limulus amebocyte lysate test as a cost-effective screen for gramnegative agents of meningitis. Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease 1987, 7: 177–183.
Nachum, R., Berzofsky, R. N. Chromogenic limulus amoebocyte lysate assay for rapid detection of gramnegative bacteriuria. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1985, 21: 759–763.
Sturk, A., ten Cate, J. W. Endotoxin testing revisited. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1985, 4: 382–385.
Hoeprich, P. D. Urethritis and cystitis. In: Hoeprich, P. D. (ed.): Infectious Diseases. Harper and Row, Hagerstown, MD, 1977, p. 28–436.
Barry, A. L., Smith, P. B., Turck, M. Laboratory diagnosis of urinary tract infections. Cumitech 2. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC, 1975.
Väisänen-Rhen, V., Elo, J., Väisänen, E., Siitonen, A., Ørskov, I., Ørskov, F., Svenson, S. B., Mäkelä, P. H., Korhonen, T. K. P-fimbriated clones among uropathogenicEscherichia coli strains. Infection and Immunity 1984, 43: 149–155.
Leive, L. Release of lipopolysaccharide by EDTA treatment ofEscherichia coli. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 1965, 21: 290–296.
Nikaido, H., Vaara, M. Molecular basis of bacterial outer membrane permeability. Microbiological Reviews 1985, 49: 1–32.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nurminen, M., Karvonen, M. & Siitonen, A. Detection of gram-negative bacteria in urine by the chromogenic limulus assay. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 7, 529–531 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01962607
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01962607