Advanced UTI Testing Solution Reduces Health Care Costs, Utilization and Antibiotic Resistance

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 21 Jun 2023

Image: Guidance UTI is the only UTI test that leverages Pooled Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (Photo courtesy of Pathnostics)

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) result in a significant number of doctor appointments and emergency room visits every year, causing a significant global healthcare burden. Although some people can easily detect and treat infections with medical help, others suffering from recurrent or complicated UTIs often struggle, undergoing numerous antibiotic treatments. In these cases, or those involving high-risk individuals, promptly identifying and treating the infection before it progresses is crucial. Now, an innovative testing solution addresses this health issue by aiding doctors in selecting the most effective treatment plan for each patient, expediting the right treatment, and reducing UTI-related hospital visits and admissions.

Pathnostics’ (Irvine, CA, USA) Guidance UTI is an advanced diagnostic testing solution designed for the rapid identification and accurate treatment of recurrent, complicated, and persistent UTIs, particularly in high-risk patients. The test can identify recognized uropathogens and antibiotic resistance genes and employs a unique Pooled Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (P-AST) technology. This provides personalized data on antibiotic sensitivity and resistance and is particularly adept at addressing polymicrobial infections that can affect antibiotic resistance due to bacterial interactions.

Contrary to standard urine cultures that can take 3-5 days and often produce numerous false negatives, Guidance UTI can identify specific uropathogens, even in cases of multiple organism presence, in less than a day from samples received at the lab. Moreover, it can identify potential treatment options to quickly manage polymicrobial infections, providing advanced data in situations where traditional treatment methods pose challenges. Real-world evidence has demonstrated that the Guidance UTI test is associated with decreased adverse outcomes, healthcare resource usage, and costs for complicated UTIs when compared to standard urine culture.

"UTIs place a significant burden on individuals' health, as well as our health care system and resources. When they are not effectively treated, complications can lead to substantial medical issues and expenses," said David Pauluzzi, CEO and co-founder, Pathnostics. "These new findings, combined with ongoing studies, support our mission of increasing access to advanced UTI testing that supports more informed treatment leading to improved outcomes."

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