Product description
The Reactif Urinalysis Strips are firm plastic strips onto which several separate reagent areas are affixed. The test is for the qualitative and semi-quantitative detection of one or more of the following analytes in urine: ascorbic acid, glucose, bilirubin, ketone (acetoacetic acid), specific gravity, blood, pH, protein, urobilinogen, nitrite and leukocytes. Refer to kit box label for the specific analyte(s) listed, and compare to the appropriate analyte(s) and colour blocks on the colour chart for results. Urine undergoes many changes during states of disease or body dysfunction before blood composition is altered to a significant extent. Urinalysis is a useful procedure as an indicator of health or disease and as such, is a part of routine health screening. The Reactif Urinalysis Strips can be used in general evaluation of health and aids in the diagnosis and monitoring of metabolic or systemic diseases that affect kidney function, endocrine disorders and diseases or disorders of the urinary tract
Blood:
This test is based on the peroxidase-like activity of hemoglobin which catalyzes the reaction of diisopropylbenzene dihydroperoxide and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine. The resulting colour
ranges from orange to green to dark blue. Any green spots or green colour development on the reagent area within 60 seconds is significant and the urine specimen should be examined further. Blood is often, but not invariably, found in urine during menstruation. The significance of a trace reading varies among patients and clinical judgment is required with such specimens.
Glucose:
This test is based on the enzymatic reaction that occurs between glucose oxidase, peroxidase and chromogen. Glucose is first oxidized to produce gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide
in the presence of glucose oxidase. The hydrogen peroxide reacts with potassium iodide chromogen in the presence of peroxidase. The extent to which the chromogen is oxidized determines the colour which is produced, which ranges from green to brown. Glucose should not be detected in normal urine. Small amounts of glucose may be excreted by the kidney. Glucose concentrations as low as 100 mg/dL may be considered abnormal if results are consistent.
pH:
This test is based on a double indicator system which gives a broad range of colours covering the entire urinary pH range. Colours range from orange to yellow and green to blue. The expected range for normal urine specimens from newborns is pH 5-7.9 The expected range for other normal urine specimens is pH 4.5-8, with an average result of pH 6.
Protein:
This reaction is based on the phenomenon known as the "protein error” of pH indicators where an indicator that is highly buffered will change colour in the presence of proteins (anions) as
the indicator releases hydrogen ions to the protein. At a constant pH, the development of any green colour is due to the presence of protein. Colours range from yellow to yellow-green for negative results and green to green-blue for positive results. 1-14 mg/dL of protein may be excreted by a normal kidney. A colour matching any block greater than trace indicates significant proteinuria. Clinical judgment is required to evaluate the significance of trace results.
