Preparing for laboratory automation and consolidation-Establishing the validity of pediatric-like low-volume urine samples in boric-acid containing tubes

Microbiological services consolidation has increased the usage of preservative-containing urine tubes, potentially inhibiting pathogens in low-volume pediatric urine samples, yielding false-negative results. Our study demonstrates comparable growth with 1 ml versus the recommended 3 ml urine, following different shipping intervals. We advocate for regulators to consider similar large-scale validations, ensuring results' consistency.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates that the usage of preservative-containing urine tubes may inhibit pathogens in low-volume pediatric urine samples, resulting in false-negative results. We advocate for large-scale validations by regulators to ensure result consistency.