Fast Urine Test Could Cut UTI Treatment Time

"The new urine test can decide the best antibiotic in under six hours, instead of waiting three days for lab results. The test uses a cartridge with tiny tubes filled with different medicines. A urine sample is added, and light sensors watch for bacterial growth over the next hours. If bacteria stop growing in a tube, that medicine is effective; if they keep growing, it is not. Researchers tested the system on 352 patient samples and found that its choices matched the traditional lab method in 97 % of cases for seven common UTI drugs.A follow‑up study with 90 duplicate samples showed almost perfect agreement, even when the urine was stored in a preservative. The quicker result means doctors can prescribe the right drug on the same day, reducing chances that an infection worsens or develops antibiotic resistance. The test was developed by a team from the University of Reading and is now being commercialised by their new company. Because UTIs are a frequent reason for antibiotic use, this rapid test could change routine practice and improve patient outcomes. "