Actim Partus test - Frequently Asked Questions

At which pregnancy weeks can the test be used?

• The test can be used starting from week 22
• By week 22, the fetal membranes have completely fused. This prevents phIGFBP-1 from leaking into the cervix

Can Actim Partus test be used on patients with ruptured membranes?

• No. Actim Partus test identifies a different phosphorylation form of IGFBP-1 than PROM test. However, the level of IGFBP-1 in amniotic fluid is so strongly elevated, that in case of leakage of amniotic fluid, Actim Partus test will give a positive result.

• To correctly interpret Actim Partus result, it should be first confirmed that the fetal membranes are intact. This can be done e.g. by first performing Actim PROM test. However, if Actim Partus test is negative, the membranes are intact.

Is there a risk of false positive results due to recent intercourse?

• No. IGFBP-1 is not detected in urine or seminal fluid and the mechanical stress caused by intercourse does not affect Actim Partus test results

How is the sample handled?

• The sample is taken with the polyester swab that it is included in the test package. Actim Partus sample is always taken from the cervix.

• After the swab has absorbed the sample, it is transferred and extracted in the specimen extraction solution. At this point, the sample is ready for testing.

Can the same sample be used for both Actim PROM and Actim Partus tests?

• Separate samples need to be taken for the two tests. The sample for Actim Partus test must be taken from the cervix, while a vaginal sample is used for Actim PROM test.

• The test requires at least 150 µl of sample to perform correctly, and this may also limit the possibility to run two dipstick tests from the same sample tube.

Can the dipstick be left in the sample to develop?

• The dipstick should be removed from the sample as soon as the liquid front becomes visible in the result window. Appearance of the liquid front in the result window indicates that enough sample has been absorbed by the dipstick.

• If the dipstick is left in the sample, the dipstick goes on absorbing the sample which in turn may lead into uncontrollable flow.

What does Actim Partus test result mean?

A patient with a negative test result

• Can be sent home

• It is highly unlikely that this patient will deliver within the next 2 weeks

• Save money and hospital resources

A patient with a positive test result

• Should be examined further

• The risk of preterm delivery is clearly higher

• After treatment (if the symptoms disappear) the patient can be tested again with Actim Partus test - if the result is negative, the patient can be sent home

• Treatment can be focused on the patients who need it

Do the results need to be read exactly at 5 minutes?

• A positive result can be interpreted as soon as two blue lines become visible in the result window. 

• However a negative test must be confirmed at 5 minutes. As the immunochromatography reaction continues to develop over time, the lines may become stronger or even new lines may appear in the result area. These lines must not be interpreted as positive as they indicate analyte levels below the detection limit of the test.

Should the intensity of the test line be compared to the intensity of the control line?

• The result is interpreted by counting the number of lines in the result area. No attention should be paid to the relative intensities of the control and test lines.

What should be done if no control line appears?

• The control line confirms correct performance of the test. If the control line does not appear, the test result is invalid and should be repeated with another dipstick.