The Ames Clinitek 200/Multistix 9 urinalysis method compared with manual and microscopic methods

We assayed 315 urine specimens by the Ames Clinitek 200/Multistix 9 semi-automated method and by corresponding standard methods (listed in parentheses) for the following analytes: protein (sulfosalicylic acid precipitation), glucose (Lilly Tes-Tape), ketones (Boehringer Mannheim Chemstrip K), leukocyte esterase (microscopic examination for leukocytes), blood (microscopic examination for erythrocytes), nitrite (microscopic examination for bacteria, Gram stain, or culture), and pH (pH meter). The Clinitek and standard methods agreed well at all concentrations for protein, ketones, and glucose. The Clinitek leukocyte esterase, nitrite, and blood methods were less sensitive than microscopic methods for detection of pyuria, bacteriuria, and hematuria, respectively. The Clinitek pH method produced falsely low pH values for urines with true pH less than 6.5, and falsely high values for urines with true pH greater than 6.5.