urinantigentests

UrinantigenTests refer to urine antigen tests, a class of immunoassays designed to detect pathogen-derived antigens excreted in urine. These tests provide rapid results and are often used as diagnostic adjuncts to guide therapy, particularly when invasive sampling or traditional culture is slow or impractical. They can be performed as rapid lateral flow assays or enzyme immunoassays, and are commonly conducted in hospital laboratories or point-of-care settings.

The most widely used targets include bacterial and fungal pathogens. Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 urine antigen tests are commonly employed in the evaluation of suspected Legionnaires’ disease. Streptococcus pneumoniae urine antigen tests are used to aid diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia, though sensitivity varies with clinical context. In fungal infections, urine antigen testing is routinely used for Histoplasma capsulatum, especially in suspected disseminated histoplasmosis; additional fungal antigens, such as Blastomyces species, may be tested in selected settings.

Clinical interpretation dépends on pretest probability and the patient’s presentation. A positive result can support a diagnosis in the appropriate clinical context, potentially enabling earlier targeted therapy. However, test performance varies by organism and patient population, and cross-reactivity or prior treatment can cause false positives or negatives. Importantly, a negative urine antigen test does not rule out infection, especially if disease is localized or due to organisms not detectable by the assay. Positive results often require correlation with clinical findings and may be confirmed with additional testing or cultures when available.