The Lodestar DX UTI testing system is designed for use in human and veterinary settings where professional users need fast, accurate results to aid clinical decision making. 

Isothermal LAMP technology provides molecular PCR-standard accuracy comparable to microbiological culture analysis

Small footprint: 140 mm (w) x 200 mm (d) x 90 mm (h)

Lightweight and portable: 720 g

No sample extraction required

LED lights indicate presence (or absence) of bacteria

Connectivity via Bluetooth or USB

No servicing required

Operates on 240-12V power

UTI are one of the most common types of bacterial infections worldwide with 400 million people a year suffering from them, resulting in 236,786 deaths (an increase from 99,000 in 1990). In England and Wales alone UTI cause 5,000 deaths a year. Most patients are prescribed antibiotics empirically (based on symptoms) or on the basis of a dipstick result. But symptoms can be vague and are not a good predictor of UTI in all patients, and dipsticks are inaccurate, particularly people aged over 65 or who have a catheter. Also, dipsticks cannot identify the bacteria causing the infection. 

Laboratory-based culture tests can identify bacteria and test for antibiotic susceptibility (AST) but take 24 to 72 hours depending on locally available facilities, geographical location and the day of sample collection. They also do not test for all types of bacteria and rely on human interpretation of results, requiring experienced personnel to undertake the identification process.

Llusern believes that quick and accurate diagnostics for UTI will assist in guiding antibiotic prescribing. Globally, treatments for UTI account for a high percentage of antibiotic prescriptions. Without access to appropriate diagnostic tools these antibiotics are often prescribed unnecessarily or inappropriately, contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance.