The Oxoid range of diagnostic culture media and rapid identification kits includes a number of innovative products for the faster identification of common respiratory and urinary tract infections
Respiratory and urinary tract infections have recently been associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Published research has revealed that inflammation caused by common respiratory and urinary tract infections, such as bronchitis, pneumonia and cystitis, may contribute to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
The results of the study suggest that the greatest increased risk occurs in the earliest stages of infection.
Rapid identification of the organisms responsible for infections assists in early diagnosis and prompt administration of suitable antimicrobial therapy.
Among the rapid tests available from Oxoid is the Oxoid Dryspot Pneumo Test (product code DR0420), which provides a fast and simple screening procedure for streptococcus pneumoniae, a primary cause of bacterial pneumonia.
In addition, Oxoid Chromogenic Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Medium (product code CM0949) uses colour to enhance the presumptive identification of the main organisms responsible for urinary tract infections.
By providing this specific and easily-visualised differentiation on a single culture plate, Oxoid UTI medium reduces the need for sub-culturing and further lengthy identification procedures, even when more than one species is present in the sample.
