FAQ
Q: Why does the dipstick container need to be brought to room temperature before opening?
A. To ensure proper function of the dipsticks they need to be kept dry during storage. For this purpose, desiccant is added to each aluminum container. However, if the container is opened when it is still cold, it may absorb humidity from the atmosphere, which may damage the remaining dipsticks in the container.
Q: How should the sample be handled?
A: The sample should be analyzed with the dipstick as soon as possible after collection. The sample can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours. If the sample needs to be stored for longer than 8 hours, it should be frozen.
Q: Why is it critical not to dip beyond the dip area?
A: The latex particles are immobilized in the zone above the upper limit of the dip area. For proper function of the test it is essential that the latex particles properly move along the dipstick with the liquid flow. If the dipstick is dipped into the sample beyond the dip area, the latex particles may become inappropriately wet which may lead into uncontrollable flow and prevent them from moving with the liquid.
Q: Do the results need to be read exactly at 5 minutes?
A: 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 cut-off value of the test.
Q: Should the intensity of the specific line be compared to the intensity of the control line?
A: 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 specific lines.
Q: What should be done if no control line appears?
A: 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.
Q: Does a positive result mean that the patient has acute pancreatitis?
A: Urinary levels of trypsinogen-2 may become elevated in other conditions than acute pancreatitis, and thus a positive result cannot be used for direct diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. The test should be used as a screening method to rule out acute pancreatitis in patients obtaining a negative test result. Diagnosis of the patient with a positive result needs to be confirmed some further examinations.
Q: What does the high negative predictive value of the test mean?
A: The negative predictive value (NPV) is the probability that a patient obtaining a negative sample result does not have acute pancreatitis. The high negative predictive value (NPV=99%) of the test indicates, that a negative test result almost certainly rules out the possibility of acute pancreatitis.