Evaluation of the Technicon bound uricase method for the determination of uric acid in urine

We have evaluated the Technicon bound uricase method for the determination of uric acid in urine with the AutoAnalyzer II. The general analytical characteristics of the method, and the effect of urine on the immobilized uricase nylon tube reactor were investigated. The method was found to be a linear up to 7.0 mmol/l with aqueous standards and up to 5.0 mmol/l with urine samples. Between-days imprecision had a coefficient of variation (CV) of 1.6% for values of about 1.2 mmol/l, and 0.8% for values above 3.5 mmol/l. Within-run imprecision gave a CV of 0.7% for values of 1.07 and 2.95 mmol/l and a CV of 0.4% for a value of 4.77 mmol/l. The mean analytic recovery was 99.1% (range 93.8-103.0%). The sample interaction was 0.9%. The correlation with the phosphotungstate method and the manual Dutch standard method was good, but the enzymatic values were 20% lower than the phosphotungstate values. Storing the immobilized uricase nylon tube reactor at 4 degrees C, when not in use, prolonged the lifetime by nearly 50%. Urine samples were not different from aqueous uric acid standards in their effect on the stability of the uricase nylon tube reactor.