Rapid diagnosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa urinary tract infections by radioimmunoassay

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Abstract
A solid-phase radioimmunoassay designed to detect serotype 6 P. aeruginosa antigens was evaluated for its ability to rapidly diagnose urinary tract infections [human]. Twelve P. aeruginosa serotypes were easily differentiated in the assay from 8 other gram-negative bacterial species. During log-phase growth, the assay detected antigens in culture when approximately 106 or more serotype 6 P. aeruginosa organisms were present. Cell-associated and solubilized antigens were detected. The assay detected antigens in 13 of 17 urine specimens which grew > 105 P. aeruginosa, 3 of 38 which grew other gram-negative rods and none of 83 with no growth. Two of the 3 positive specimens from the other gram-negative rod group probably also contained P. aeruginosa. No preincubation of the urine specimens was required and results were available within 2.5 h. The assay represents an improvement over other procedures for rapidly diagnosing urinary tract infections in that it allows diagnosis by species and should be adaptable to semiautomation.