ictotest

Thursday August 31, 2006
ICTOTEST !! (its one word)


Q; As you are reviewing the labs from patient, you noticed a note at the end of UA (urinalysis) - Ictotest positive. Do you know what is Ictotest?


A; The Ictotest® is an ultra-sensitive test to detect bilirubin in urine (detects even 0.05 mg/dL of bilirubin). It is a sensitive, reliable and easy test to diagnose bilirubinuria. Actually, it is a tablet of diazonium salt and when combines with bilirubin, it changes to blue or purple color (any other color change is a negative test). Lab run this test if there is a suspicion of bilirubinuria.

Caution: Test should be performed on fresh urine specimen and specimen should be protected from excessive light exposure. On standing, bilirubin is oxidized to biliverdin and may not react with diazonium salt tablet.

Note: Presence of Pyridium in urine may give a false positive Ictotest.