Dry chemistry urinalysis of pathological proteinuria

The paper presents a review of the characteristics and analytical performance of the most current dry chemistry methods for detection and estimation of the different urinary proteins. Description of the classical "protein error" dipsticks for macroalbuminuria is supplemented by data on more sensitive alternatives based on the same principle, reaching into the zone of microalbuminuria. Immunological test strips are available for detection of low concentrations of albumin. Application of the same principle is attempted for detection of other specific proteins. Highly sensitive enzymatic reactions allow detection of "lysis proteins": haemoglobin, leukocyte esterase and beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase. An efficient strategy for screening for all types of pathological proteinuria based on detection of low albumin levels is presented.