POC Urine Test Strips for 10 Health Markers

Point-of-Care (POC) test strips detect bilirubin, urobilinogen, ketones, glucose, protein, blood, pH, nitrite, leukocytes, specific gravity, and ascorbic acid in urine samples. The strips are designed to provide doctors with quick, simple-to-use diagnostic tests that simplify the visual reading of test results.

The test for ascorbic acid is important because it tells the test giver if the subject is taking vitamin C, raising the possibility of a false negative result on other tests. This is due to the fact that vitamin C inhibits color development on the test strips for blood, glucose, nitrite, and bilirubin. Called QuickVue UrinChek 10+ SG urine test strips (Rapidgnost in Europe), the tests were developed by Quidel Corp. (San Diego, CA, USA).

"We believe this additional test (for vitamin C) is particularly important with the increasing popularity of vitamin C supplements,” said Stephen C. Biby, marketing manager of Quidel. The company supplies diagnostic products for common health problems and infectious diseases.