Fast, Accurate Urine Test for Pneumonia

Filed in archive Diagnostics, Methodologies and Instrumentation on December 15, 2009

© scottfeldstein

Scientists have developed a urine test to provide rapid diagnosis of the cause of pneumonia.

In the new study, Slupsky and colleagues applied "metabolomics" - the study of the chemicals produced by the body's metabolic processes - to develop a profile for pneumonia as it appears in a patient's urine.

Using technology known as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the researchers were able to identify a chemical "fingerprint" for the type of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, and compare this to the chemical fingerprints for other types of pneumonia and noninfectious lung diseases.

Aside from its utility in diagnostics, the technology can also be used to quickly and easily monitor patient recovery. A patent is pending for this diagnostic procedure.