The Thermo Scientific 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. Such 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 (refs 1, 2, 3).

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 Thermo Scientific is the Thermo Scientific 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, Thermo Scientific 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, Thermo Scientific UTI Medium reduces the need for sub-culturing and further lengthy identification procedures, even when more than one species is present in the sample.

To find out more about the Thermo Scientific Dryspot Pneumo Test, Thermo Scientific Chromogenic UTI Medium and other diagnostic culture media and tests available from Thermo Scientific, contact Carlene Simmons, contact details are at the top of this page.

References:
1. BBC News online, 16 December 2004.
2. Reuters, 15 December 2004.
3. Smeeth, L., Thomas, S.L., Hall, A.J. et al. (2004) New Eng. J. Med. 351 (25): 2611-2618.