Researchers Develop Rapid Test to Transform UTI Treatment With Accurate Same-Day Results

A new diagnostic breakthrough could transform how urinary tract infections (UTIs) are treated, allowing doctors to prescribe the right antibiotic within hours instead of days. Developed by researchers at the University of Reading in collaboration with the University of Southampton and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the rapid urine test delivers results in under six hours.

Published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, the study evaluated 352 urine samples from patients with suspected UTIs. The test demonstrated an impressive 96.95% accuracy when compared to traditional laboratory methods across seven commonly used antibiotics. A secondary analysis of 90 duplicate samples confirmed reliability, showing 98.75% agreement regardless of whether preservatives were used.

Currently, UTI diagnosis relies on culturing bacteria in a lab, a process that takes two to three days. During this delay, patients are often prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics, which may be ineffective. This not only prolongs symptoms but also contributes to antimicrobial resistance, a growing global health threat.

The new method eliminates the need for overnight culturing. Instead, urine samples are placed into a cartridge containing multiple antibiotics. Using optical imaging, the system monitors bacterial growth in real time. If bacteria stop growing in a specific tube, that antibiotic is effective; if not, it is unsuitable. This direct-from-urine approach significantly speeds up decision-making.

The implications are substantial. Faster, targeted treatment could reduce complications such as kidney infections or sepsis, improve patient outcomes, and limit unnecessary antibiotic use. With millions of UTI cases diagnosed annually and rising antibiotic resistance rates, such innovation is urgently needed.

Researchers believe this technology could soon be integrated into routine clinical practice, offering a practical and scalable solution.

REFERENCE: Sarah Helen Needs, HoYin Lam, Jessica E Hayward, Richa Sharma, Manisha Gurung, Oliver Hancox, Julie Hart, Stephen P Kidd, Alexander Daniel Edwards. Accuracy of rapid microcapillary direct antibiotic susceptibility testing for urine samples collected with bacteriostatic boric acid from patients with suspected urinary tract infection. JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance, 2026; 8 (2) DOI: 10.1093/jacamr/dlag035