Four new UTI tests could help fight antimicrobial resistance

Four new tests for diagnosing UTIs could soon be considered for use in the NHS to help fight against antimicrobial resistance.

A National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) committee has issued draft guidance calling for further research into four promising tests which could produce results in under an hour and be carried out in primary care or the community by any healthcare professional.

It is hoped that these tests will be able to provide accurate and timely diagnosis of UTIs to reduce the risk of developing antibiotic resistance through misdiagnosis.

NICE is now calling for further research to establish how accurately the tests detect and identify bacteria and test for which antibiotic is most effective, and how much the tests affect decisions about antibiotic prescribing.

If research suggests the new tests are beneficial in practice, then they could be considered for an early conditional rollout for use in the NHS, while further evidence of their effect on practice is generated.

Mark Chapman, interim director of medical technology and digital evaluation at NICE, said: ‘There is a need for new tests that can accurately identify whether an infection is present. Our Early Value Assessment project has identified that these four tests could help meet that need.

‘Soon we expect to have a fuller and more detailed picture of the tests’ accuracy and potential benefits and will be able to make a further recommendation on their use in the NHS.’

He added: ‘One of the most exciting aspects of these technologies could be their ability to maximise the use of antibiotics where most effective.

‘We know that reducing antimicrobial resistance is a top priority for healthcare systems around the globe and NICE has a part to play in this mission.’

UTIs are one of the most common conditions diagnosed in primary care.

One fifth of antibiotics prescribed in 2019/20 in England were for lower urinary tract infections, equalling seven million prescriptions out of a total of 31.4 million, according to the NHS Business Service Authority.

Currently UTIs are diagnosed using a combination of clinical symptoms, dipstick tests and laboratory-based tests. However, dipstick tests may be inaccurate and laboratory testing may take days to produce results, said NICE.

In draft guidance, the NICE committee has said that more data on the accuracy of these four innovative tests would allow better assessment of the potential risks and benefits of using them in the NHS.

Once further data is available, the committee will meet to decide if the recommendations can be reconsidered and if the technologies can be recommended for early access in the NHS.

A consultation on the recommendations has begun and feedback can be made online until Thursday 30th March 2023.