Uricult Vet test

The Uricult Vet dipslide system is based on two culture media for detection of microbes causing urinary tract infections in animals. One side of the plastic slide is covered with green CLED medium and the other side with reddish-brown MacConkey medium. The CLED medium is intended for determining the total microbial count. The MacConkey medium is intended for detecting gram-negative microbes.

Uricult Vet test provide you with

• Easy to use test: just dip, incubate and interpret
• On-site test: no need to transport the urine samples
• Safe transportation maintains the integrity of the sample
• Storage of the tubes at room temperature for up to nine months

Test results should never be used alone, without a complete clinical evaluation.

UTI is frequently found in cats and dogs. Clinical signs are not always present and the symptoms are nonspecific^1,2. Symptoms should not be used alone for diagnosis of UTI. When diagnosing UTI in animals, it is recommended to interpret the clinical evaluation, gross and cytological appearance of the urine, and bacterial culture.

The Uricult tests are dipslides for culturing urine samples. The slides are covered on both sides with agar media. The slide can be dipped into urine, or urine can be poured onto the slide. Cystocentesis sample can also be used by placing drops directly from the syringe onto the agar medium. Thereafter, the inoculated slide is inserted back into the tube, making it ready for incubation or for transportation. After incubation, the presence of bacteria is evidenced by colonies growing on the agar surface. The number of colonies indicates the number of colony forming units (CFU/ml) in the urine sample because each colony is the result of multiplication of a single bacterial cell.

The total colony count on Uricult Vet test is determined from the originally green CLED agar by matching the colony density with the model chart. The bacteria may be classified as lactose fermenting or non-lactose fermenting bacteria based on their appearance on CLED agar. The number of gram-negative bacteria can be determined on the Uricult Vet test from the originally brownish–red, selective MacConkey agar.

References

1. Weese JS, Blondeau JM, Boothe D et al. Antimicrobial use guidelines for treatment of urinary tract disease in dogs and cats: antimicrobial guidelines working group of the international society for companion animal infectious diseases. Veterinary Medicine International, 2011; article ID: 263768. doi:10.4061/2011/263768
2. Bartges JW. Diagnosis of urinary tract infections. Vet Clin Small Anim, 2001; 34: 823-933.

Marketing and Sales materials

Uricult Vet Model Chart (EN)

Instructions for use

(For informative use only. Kindly always refer to the latest package insert in the kit.)

Uricult Vet IFU (EN, FI, SE)

The upper part of the Uricult Vet culture medium has shrunk by approximately 1.5 mm. Is it still usable?

You can still use the slides if the medium has not shrunk more than that.

I received Uricult Vet vials where one medium is separated from the dipslide. Why does the medium separate?

The agars may become loose if the boxes are not handled with care and if the boxes have been dropped on the floor. Freezing may also cause agars to fall off. If the agar has been frozen, it will typically have an "orange-like" surface. Although freezing is more likely to happen during transportation in winter, it may also occur during summer. Storage too close to the cooling system or in a too cold refrigerator may freeze the agar.

When opening the Uricult Vet kit I saw that the media had dried out with cracks on the surface and some were contaminated. Why does this occur?

The description above (a dry and cracked surface) strongly suggests that the slides have become frozen at some point, either during transportation or storage. Noticing contaminated slides in the same box may also be a sign of freezing as the frozen surface becomes dull and may look like it has been heavily colonised. If you notice separate colonies, it is probably due to contamination. Contamination cannot be completely avoided because of our aseptic but not sterile manufacturing process. To avoid any contaminated slides being packed into kits, we do a visual inspection before packaging. In case of contamination, we always inspect our retain stock to exclude this possibility.

I received a box of Uricult Vet today and all the bottles have pink liquid inside and a lot of small liquid bubbles on the wall of the bottle. Is that normal?

Uricult Vet contains water in the agar. If there is a temperature fluctuation or draught, it may result in water evaporation. This can be seen as liquid in the tube and also as small drops on the tube walls. The colour of the liquid is a result of the colour of the agar. It is a normal phenomenon and should not affect the use of Uricult Vet as long as it has not resulted in drying of the agar.

Uricult Vet has two media on it, which are these and why are they used?

Uricult Vet has CLED medium on one side and MacConkey medium on the other side. All bacteria should be able to grow on the green CLED medium which is intended for estimating the total bacterial count. Lactose fermenting bacteria will grow in yellow colonies, and they will also change the colour of the medium from green to yellow. Non-lactose fermenting bacteria grow on CLED medium as colourless colonies. Gram-negative bacteria mainly grow on the brownish MacConkey medium, although some gram-positive bacteria may also be able to grow there. On this medium, lactose fermenting bacteria grow in red colonies, whereas non-lactose fermenting bacteria grow as colourless colonies.

Can Uricult Vet be stored at 15 - 25 °C or at 2 - 8 °C? What are the deviation limits? How long can it be kept outside that range? Can it be frozen?

Uricult Vet is best preserved if it is stored at 7 - 25 °C. The products must not be frozen. Extra care should be taken to avoid draughts and temperature fluctuations, which may cause the agar to dry, thereby shortening the shelf-life.