Skip to main content
Log in

Detection of gram-negative bacteria in urine by the chromogenic limulus assay

  • Notes
  • Published:
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. 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.

    Google Scholar 

  2. 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.

    Google Scholar 

  3. 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.

    Google Scholar 

  4. 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.

    Google Scholar 

  5. 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.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Nachum, R., Berzofsky, R. N. Chromogenic limulus amoebocyte lysate assay for rapid detection of gramnegative bacteriuria. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1985, 21: 759–763.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Sturk, A., ten Cate, J. W. Endotoxin testing revisited. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1985, 4: 382–385.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hoeprich, P. D. Urethritis and cystitis. In: Hoeprich, P. D. (ed.): Infectious Diseases. Harper and Row, Hagerstown, MD, 1977, p. 28–436.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Barry, A. L., Smith, P. B., Turck, M. Laboratory diagnosis of urinary tract infections. Cumitech 2. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  10. 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.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Leive, L. Release of lipopolysaccharide by EDTA treatment ofEscherichia coli. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 1965, 21: 290–296.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Nikaido, H., Vaara, M. Molecular basis of bacterial outer membrane permeability. Microbiological Reviews 1985, 49: 1–32.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints 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

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01962607

Keywords

Navigation