The Egyptians also had a problem with pregnancy testing. They used to water
Emmer wheat and barley seeds with the urine. If both grew, she was
pregnant, if the barley grew it was a male foetus, if the Emmer grew it was
female. This was tested in 1963 with 40 urines from pregnant women, 1 or
both grew in 28 cases. False negatives were 30%. Prediction of sex was
correct in 7 cases and incorrect in 16.
Thanks to Jonathan for bringing to my attention Nunn's book on ancient
Egyptian medicine from which this was taken.
AE does not now have the excuse of waiting for the seeds to grow for their
poor turnaround times!
Regards.
Martin.
PS, I like the Egyptian title for a proctologist - herdsman of the anus.
Round 'em up!!
-----Original Message-----
From: Mainwaring-Burton Richard (RGZ)
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 01 April 2005 14:48
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: False urinary pregnancy tests
We have recently changed our dipstick supplier due to one batch which gave
some false negative (hook effect which was addressed in the kit insert with
a diluted repeat, but was difficult to consider seriously on all negatives
once we had found a couple !!) and the next batch which gave some false
positive (cause unknown, proved by HCG) results - details if required.
We have an agreed pregnancy excludogram protocol (attached) with the A&E
department which is also used in pregnable female pre-ops by the Gynae team
I further doubt exists, quantitative HCG is offered on urine or serum
with best wishes
Richard
Richard Mainwaring-Burton
Consultant Biochemist
Queen Mary's Hospital
Sidcup, Kent
DA14 6LT
020-8308-3084
-----Original Message-----
From: James J Miller [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 01 April 2005 13:45
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: False urinary pregnancy tests
Helen Grimes commented "...it is a well known fact that urinary
pregnancy tests kits can give false positives and negatives, and there
is the problem of a dilute random urine, so since one can quantitatively
measure serum hCG, this should be the test of choice."
I agree that serum hCG is the test of choice for ruling out pregnancy
before giving potentially fetus damaging radiation or drugs, mainly
because it is more sensitive than urine hCG, but I was unaware of false
positive and false negative urine hCG (other than the lower sensitivity
and dilute urine issues). What are some other causes of FP & FN urine
hCG? References?
Thanks. -Jim
James J Miller, Ph.D., DABCC, FACB
Associate Professor, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292
Director of Clinical Chemistry & Toxicology
University of Louisville Hospital Laboratory
[log in to unmask]
Office: 502-852-1179
Pager: 502-478-1219
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