We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Portable UTI Molecular Diagnostic Platform Provides Accurate Test Results in 40 Minutes

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 09 Nov 2022
Print article
Image: Lodestar DX provides lab-accurate test results in 30 minutes (Photo courtesy of Llusern Scientific)
Image: Lodestar DX provides lab-accurate test results in 30 minutes (Photo courtesy of Llusern Scientific)

Despite being one of the most common types of infection Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are a comparatively neglected area of medicine. There are no highly accurate diagnostic tools available for point-of-care testing. Currently, the gold standard for UTI diagnosis is to use laboratory culture but this takes at least 24 hours and often involves the transportation of the sample, adding further delay. The absence of fast diagnostic testing means clinicians make treatment decisions based on vague clinical symptoms or inaccurate urine dipstick tests. Now, a rapid and affordable point-of-care molecular diagnostics platform developed specifically to detect bacterial and viral infections aims to change that.

Llusern Scientific Limited’s (Wales, UK) Lodestar DX is a user-friendly, portable molecular platform for testing UTIs and respiratory diseases that provides lab-accurate test results in 30 minutes. The low cost platform technology allows users to conveniently carry out Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) reactions. The technique allows amplification and detection of DNA or RNA in a wide range of bacterial and viral targets. Lodestar DX uses an internal algorithm to determine if a LAMP reaction is positive or negative. The algorithm is suitable for use with a wide range of LAMP reactions. The Lodestar DX system outputs the fluorescent reaction data in real time which can be captured directly onto a PC and stored for subsequent off-line analysis. The system can run eight reactions simultaneously and can be operated flexibly based on user needs. It can be operated from the mains supply using its powers adapter or using a 15Vdc source such as a standard vehicle lighter plug, allowing usage in remote settings.

In 2023, Llusern plans to launch a panel of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) assays including E-coli, Klebsiella and Staphylococcus spp that run on Lodestar DX. Currently undergoing clinical validation, Llusern’s UTI test has a preliminary sensitivity of 95% for E.coli and can detect over 95% of all uropathogens. Easy to use, it does not require sample processing and urine is added directly into the assay tubes for results delivered in 30 minutes. The simple test preparation and ease of use of the Lodestar DX makes it a useful tool in doctor’s offices, clinics and pharmacies. Llusern's molecular diagnostic test for UTIs is a significant step-forward in addressing a huge everyday health problem faced by hundreds of millions of people around the globe.

Related Links:
Llusern Scientific Limited 

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
Gold Member
ADAMTS-13 Protease Activity Test
ATS-13 Activity Assay

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The 3D printed miniature ionizer is a key component of a mass spectrometer (Photo courtesy of MIT)

3D Printed Point-Of-Care Mass Spectrometer Outperforms State-Of-The-Art Models

Mass spectrometry is a precise technique for identifying the chemical components of a sample and has significant potential for monitoring chronic illness health states, such as measuring hormone levels... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The CAPILLARYS 3 DBS devices have received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Sebia)

Next Generation Instrument Screens for Hemoglobin Disorders in Newborns

Hemoglobinopathies, the most widespread inherited conditions globally, affect about 7% of the population as carriers, with 2.7% of newborns being born with these conditions. The spectrum of clinical manifestations... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The AI predictive model identifies the most potent cancer killing immune cells for use in immunotherapies (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

AI Predicts Tumor-Killing Cells with High Accuracy

Cellular immunotherapy involves extracting immune cells from a patient's tumor, potentially enhancing their cancer-fighting capabilities through engineering, and then expanding and reintroducing them into the body.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The T-SPOT.TB test is now paired with the Auto-Pure 2400 liquid handling platform for accurate TB testing (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Integrated Solution Ushers New Era of Automated Tuberculosis Testing

Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for 1.3 million deaths every year, positioning it as one of the top killers globally due to a single infectious agent. In 2022, around 10.6 million people were diagnosed... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The new AI tool can help beat brain tumors (Photo courtesy of Crystal Light/Shutterstock)

New AI Tool Classifies Brain Tumors More Quickly and Accurately

Precision in diagnosing and categorizing tumors is essential for delivering effective treatment to patients. Currently, the gold standard for identifying various types of brain tumors involves DNA methylation-based... Read more