Patent ID: 6605447
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: C12Q,G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of identifying increased levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase in a urine sample to assess the risk of a urinary tract infection comprising:(a) contacting a urine sample with a means of detecting inducible nitric oxide synthase in the urine sample, wherein L-arginine is the detection means with which the urine sample is contacted and the L-arginine is added to the urine sample before a Griess test is performed to increase sensitivity of detection of inducible nitric oxide synthase and allowing for detection of lower levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase; (b) detecting inducible nitric oxide synthase in the urine sample with a Griess test; (c) comparing the amount of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the urine sample with an amount detected in a negative control sample or samples that are clean catch, midstream urine samples from asymptomatic men or women and are negative for leukocytes and nitrites and have fewer than 5 white blood cells per milliliter of urine; and (d) determining the risk of a patient having an elevated amount of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the urine sample as high.