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Siemens Ictotest® Reagent TabletsThe Name You Trust for Timely and Accurate Confirmatory Urine Bilirubin Results

Ictotest® Reagent Tablets are used to test for the presence of bilirubin in urine. The presence of bilirubin is an important finding in the evaluation of liver function and a positive detection could be an indication of liver disease such as jaundice, cirrhosis or hepatitis. Hospital and laboratories rely on the quality of Siemens’ Ictotest reagent tablets to confirm bilirubin results prior to providing the results to their customers.

  • Ictotest Reagent Tablets were first made available in 1953
  • Use of Ictotest requires a dropper and distilled water, in addition to the absorbent mats and reagent tablets provided.
  • The test is easy to perform and gives timely and accurate confirmatory urine bilirubin results in one minute.
  • Level of detection ≥ 0.05 to 0.1 mg bilirubin/dL in urine (0.9–1.7 µmol/L).
Ictotest® Reagent Tablets
Ictotest Reagent Tablets

Features & Benefits

Why is a confirmatory test necessary for urinary bilirubin? To date, there is no quantitative urine bilirubin test method on the market. The only way to rule out urine-strip false-positive bilirubin results is with a confirmatory assay such as Ictotest tablets. The alternative is for the healthcare professional to order a blood test for bilirubin, which adds cost and time to the confirmation process.

Use of Ictotest tablets require a pipette and distilled water, in addition to the absorbent mats and reagent tablets provided with the Ictotest kit. The procedure is easy to perform and gives reliable answers when a fresh urine specimen is used and the tablets are properly stored.

Clinical Use

The Ictotest tablets, based on the diazotization reaction, are utilized as a confirmatory assay for the presence of urinary bilirubin when a frontline test (i.e. urine strip or another semi-quantitative method) has provided a positive bilirubin result. The Ictotest reagent tablets can be used to rule-out the presence of interfering substances that may cause a false positive result.

Ictotest Directions for Use
  1. Place a square of the absorbent test mat supplied onto a paper towel. Using either side of the test mat will produce expected results. Please 10 drops of urine onto the center of the test mat.
  2. Shake one Ictotest Reagent Tablet into the the bottle cap and transfer the tablet to the center of the moistened mat. Do not handle tablet with your fingers. Recap the bottle promptly.
  3. Place one drop of distilled water onto the tablet. Wait 5 seconds, then place a second drop of distilled water onto the tablet so that the distilled water runs off the tablet onto the mat.
  4. Observe the color of the mat around and under the tablet at 60 seconds.

RESULTS: Results with Ictotest Reagent Tablets are negative if no blue or purple color develops on the mat within 60 seconds. If a blue or purple color develops on the mat or under the tablet within 60 seconds, the result is positive. Pink or red color should be ignored.

POSITIVE RESULT

POSITIVE RESULT: The presence of a blue or purple color on the mat indicates that bilirubin is present. The illustration at left shows typical positive results. The color gradient shows a sample range of color for a positive result.

NEGATIVE RESULTS

NEGATIVE RESULTS: The absence of blue or purple color on the mat indicates that no bilirubin is present. A slight pink or red color should be ignored. The illustration at left shows typical negative results. The color gradient shows a sample range of color for a negative result.

Technical Specifications

CHEMICAL PRINCIPLES OF THE PROCEDURE: The reaction is based on the coupling of a unique solid diazonium salt with bilirubin in an acid medium to give the blue or purple reaction.

STORAGE AND HANDLING: Ictotest Reagent Tablets are stable until the expiration date in the unopened container if stored at temperatures between 15–30°C. Do not store the bottle in direct sunlight. Replace cap promptly and tightly after use. Do not use tablets that are damaged.

LIMITATIONS OF THE PROCEDURE: Metabolites of (phenazopyridine) give bright red-orange colors which may mask the reaction of small amounts of bilirubin. Elevated concentrations of urobilinogen do not mask the reaction of small amounts of bilirubin, but atypical orange colors are produced. Chlorpromazine in large amounts may give a false positive result, and metabolites of Lodine (etodolac) may cause false positive or atypical results.

SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS: Ictotest Reagent Tablets will detect as little as 0.05 to 0.1 mg bilirubin/dL in urine (0.9–1.7 µmol/L).

NOTE: As with all laboratory tests, definitive diagnostic or therapeutic decisions should not be based on any single result.


Product availability varies by country.


The products/features (mentioned herein) are not commercially available in all countries. Due to regulatory reasons their future availability cannot be guaranteed. Please contact your local Siemens Healthineers organization for further details.