A critical review of the antibody-coated bacteria test.
Reports extolling the virtues of the antibody-coated bacteria immunofluorescent test continue to appear and therapeutic decisions are being made on the results of this test. In this review 2 unresolved issues are examined: 1) what constitutes a positive test and 2) how accurately does the antibody-coated bacteria test define the tissue source of infection. These issues should be resolved before all clinicians and researchers jump on the antibody-coated bacteria test bandwagon.
D000919:Antibody-Coated Bacteria Test, Urinary; D002648:Child; D003556:Cystitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011704:Pyelonephritis / Q000175:diagnosis; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*