Urease Test Kit
BRIEF TECHNOLOGY
Urease Test Kit is a diagnostic tool for the rapid detection of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with dyspepsia. Designed for point-of-care use, this test provides results within 10 minutes without the need for any equipment or analyzers.
INSPIRATION OF THE INVENTION
Inspired by the need for a simple, fast, and cost-effective diagnostic tool to detect Helicobacter pylori infection, particularly in resource-limited clinical settings. Many existing diagnostic kits were either expensive, required laboratory equipment, or took too long to yield results—delaying treatment decisions. Recognizing the high prevalence of H. pylori in developing countries and the importance of timely diagnosis in managing dyspepsia-related conditions, the inventors were motivated to create a bedside test that clinicians could use during procedures such as upper gastroduodenoscopy. The goal was to empower doctors with immediate results, enabling on-the-spot decisions for eradication therapy before the patient even leaves the clinic.
PROBLEM STATEMENT & CURRENT ISSUES
Accurate and timely diagnosis of *Helicobacter pylori* infection remains a significant challenge, especially in developing countries where the infection is highly prevalent. Conventional diagnostic methods—such as culture, histology, or commercial rapid urease tests—often require laboratory infrastructure, are time-consuming, and can be expensive. These limitations hinder immediate clinical decision-making and delay treatment initiation. Additionally, many commercial test kits are not always accessible in public healthcare facilities due to cost and logistical constraints. There is a pressing need for a **rapid, reliable, affordable, and equipment-free diagnostic tool** that can be used directly at the point of care to overcome these issues and improve patient management.
INVENTIVENESS & NOVELTY
simple yet effective design that integrates a gel-based medium in a small, transparent polypropylene vial, allowing for easy visualization of color changes without the need for specialized equipment. Its novelty lies in the optimization of chemical composition to ensure rapid color transition (from orange to pink-red) within 10 minutes upon contact with a Helicobacter pylori-positive gastric biopsy. Unlike conventional kits, iRUT is low-cost, highly portable, and tailored for bedside use, making it ideal for clinics and hospitals with limited resources. Its ease of preparation, high sensitivity and specificity, and rapid turnaround time distinguish it from other existing urease test kits such as CLO-Test and Pronto Dry.
USEFULNESS & APPLICATION
highly useful for the **rapid diagnosis of *Helicobacter pylori* infection** in patients presenting with dyspepsia or related gastrointestinal symptoms. Its primary application is during **upper gastroduodenoscopy procedures**, where clinicians can immediately test gastric biopsy samples and obtain results within 10 minutes—facilitating on-the-spot treatment decisions. The test is especially valuable in **clinics, hospitals, and healthcare settings lacking laboratory infrastructure**, as it does not require specialized equipment or analyzers. Additionally, iRUT can be applied in **microbiology laboratories** to confirm *H. pylori* isolates from culture plates, making it a versatile tool for both clinical and research use. Its low cost and ease of use make it particularly suitable for **widespread use in developing countries**, where the burden of *H. pylori* infection is high.
IMPACT OF THE PRODUCT
The in-house Rapid Urease Test (iRUT) has the potential to significantly improve **clinical outcomes and healthcare efficiency**, particularly in settings with limited resources. By enabling **rapid, accurate, and low-cost diagnosis** of *Helicobacter pylori* infection at the point of care, iRUT facilitates **immediate treatment decisions**, reducing the need for follow-up visits and preventing complications such as peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. Its affordability and simplicity support **wider accessibility**, especially in rural or underfunded healthcare facilities. Moreover, iRUT contributes to **cost savings for healthcare systems** by minimizing the need for laboratory-based diagnostics. The product also supports **public health efforts** in developing countries by enabling large-scale screening and early intervention, ultimately reducing the burden of gastrointestinal diseases associated with *H. pylori*.
MARKET POTENTIAL
strong market potential, particularly in developing countries where the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is high and access to affordable diagnostic tools is limited. The product addresses a critical need in public and private healthcare sectors, including hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic laboratories. With growing awareness of H. pylori’s role in gastrointestinal diseases such as peptic ulcers and gastric cancer, the demand for cost-effective, rapid point-of-care diagnostic solutions is increasing. iRUT’s affordability, ease of use, and high accuracy position it as an attractive option for health ministries, non-governmental health organizations, and medical device distributors targeting low-resource settings. Additionally, the test can be marketed for academic and research applications, particularly in microbiology and gastroenterology studies. Given its versatility and relevance, iRUT has the potential to be adopted both locally and internationally, especially in regions across Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
TRL : 8
Project Leader : Prof. Madya Dr. Alfizah Binti Hanafiah
Co-Researcher : –
Dept./Fac./Inst : Jabatan Mikrobiologi & Imunologi Perubatan, Fakulti Perubatan UKM
Expertise : –



