Sensitivity of the direct oxalate oxidase assay of urinary oxalate improved.

The direct colorimetric method for urinary oxalate has been modified to improve its sensitivity. Oxalate is precipitated overnight with calcium chloride and ethanol, the precipitate is redissolved, and the oxalate is measured by use of oxalate oxidase (EC 1.2.3.4), methylbenzothiazolinone hydrazone, and dimethylaniline. The color developed is more intense, analytical recovery averages 102%, and the overall imprecision is less than 5%. To assess the accuracy of the method, we used a gas-chromatography comparison method and control sera. Interference from ascorbate is negligible. The modified method retains its simplicity and is less expensive.