Comparison of urine dipstick, sulfosalicylic acid, urine protein-to-creatinine ratio, and species-specific ELISA methods for detection of albumin in urine samples of cats and dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of dipstick, sulfosalicylic acid (SSA), and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UP:C) methods for use in detection of canine and feline albuminuria.


METHODS
Evaluation study.


METHODS
599 canine and 347 feline urine samples.


METHODS
Urine was analyzed by use of dipstick, SSA, and UP:C methods; results were compared with those for a species-specific ELISA to determine sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value, and positive and negative likelihood ratios.


RESULTS
Positive results for dipstick and SSA tests (trace reaction or greater) in canine urine had moderate specificity (dipstick, 81.2%; SSA, 73.3%) and poor PPV (dipstick, 34.0%; SSA, 41.8%). Values improved when stronger positive results (>or= 2+) for the dipstick and SSA tests were compared with ELISA results (specificity, 98.9% and 99.0% for the urine dipstick and SSA tests, respectively; PPV, 90.7% and 90.2% for the dipstick and SSA tests, respectively). Data obtained for cats revealed poor specificity (dipstick, 11.0%; SSA, 25.4%) and PPV (dipstick, 55.6%; SSA, 46.9%). Values improved slightly when stronger positive test results (>or= 2+) were used (specificity, 80.0% and 94.2% for the dipstick and SSA tests, respectively; PPV, 63.5% and 65.2% for the dipstick and SSA tests, respectively). The UP:C had high specificity for albuminuria in dogs and cats (99.7% and 99.2%, respectively) but low sensitivity (28.7% and 2.0%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Caution should be used when interpreting a positive test result of a dipstick or SSA test for canine or feline albuminuria.
Lyon
Shane D
SD
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
Sanderson
Michael W
MW
Vaden
Shelly L
SL
Lappin
Michael R
MR
Jensen
Wayne A
WA
Grauer
Gregory F
GF
D000419:Albuminuria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000652:urine*; D002415:Cats / Q000652:urine*; D003404:Creatinine; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000652:urine*; D004285:Dogs / Q000652:urine*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary*; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000662:veterinary; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012459:Salicylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity
D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012459:Salicylates; D003404:Creatinine; C003366:sulfosalicylic acid