Screening performance of the MUS-3600 urine analyzer for urinary tract infection: comparison with urine culture

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Yalçınkaya Kara Z. M., Genç L., Odabaşı M. S., Aktaş E.

Acta Biochimica Polonica, cilt.73, ss.1-8, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 73
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3389/abp.2026.16555
  • Dergi Adı: Acta Biochimica Polonica
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals, Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-8
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: automated urinalysis, flow-type micro-imaging technology, MUS-3600, urine culture, UTI
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background – Urine culture is the gold standard for diagnosing urinary tract infections (UTIs), but most samples yield negative results. A rapid and accurate screening method could accelerate reporting, reduce workload, and lower costs. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the MUS-3600 urine analyzer as a screening tool for UTIs. Methods – Urine samples submitted to the microbiology laboratory were analyzed using the MUS-3600 within 10 min of collection. The analyzer uses flow-type micro-imaging and artificial intelligence–based particle classification. Culture results with ≥104 CFU/mL were defined as positive; lower counts were negative. Results – For white blood cells (WBC, >39/μL), sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and elimination rate were 63.4%, 84.5%, 50.8%, 90.1%, and 67.5%, respectively. Bacilli (>103/μL) showed 62.1%, 88.1%, 56.9%, 90.2%, and 70.4%. Suspected cocci (>859/μL) demonstrated lower accuracy (44.4%, 78.7%, 34.5%, 84.9%, and 62.8%). Combining WBC and bacilli yielded the highest elimination rate (77.2%) and NPV (87.9%). The analyzer performed better in males (NPV 93.9%) than in females (NPV 82.1%). Conclusion – The MUS-3600 provides moderate accuracy for UTI screening and may help reduce unnecessary urine cultures, particularly in male patients. However, its limited sensitivity, especially for cocci, prevents its use as a stand-alone screening tool. Further studies are needed to confirm its role as a complementary method for culture elimination.