The BA400 clinical chemistry and turbidimetry analyser offers excellent performance to laboratories looking towards achieving highest efficiency with optimal operative cost. It has been designed to provide high operating autonomy, through its high capacity for samples (135; 90 with direct barcode reading) and reagents (88 positions) and capability to operate up to 9 hours of continuous working without refilling/voiding the system’s reservoirs. The BA400 incorporates proprietary LED technology for the optical system, with virtually no maintenance and without optical interferences. It uses a battery of high power LED monochromatic sources with 8 working wavelengths covering the most demanding methods of routine and specific chemistry. Maintenance is simplified using distributed electronics through CAN (Controller Area Network) bus system, thus significantly optimizing performance and reducing down times; low mechanical wear dispensing pumps with ceramic piston are capable of operating up to 5 millions cycles. The analyser is also equipped with an independent powered reagents cooling system to ensure on board stability
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LABGEO HC10 is a fast and easy to use 3-part WBC differential automated hematology analyser offering an optimal solution for clinics and practices. This analyser delivers reliable & accurate results within 45 seconds to enable rapid diagnosis and increase patient satisfaction. Also with a simple three-step testing process and the use of automated sample loader, this device is easy to use and prevents contamination.

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The Active-B12 assay from Axis-Shield provides an innovative and highly accurate method for assessing Vitamin B12 status and is now available in the USA. The Axis-Shield assay measures Holotranscobalamin, the bio-active form of the vitamin. Holotranscobalamin represents only 10-30% of circulating B12 but is the only form taken up and utilised by the cells of the body – the Active-B12 assay therefore gives a more accurate assessment of the body’s B12 status. The use of a specific monoclonal antibody for Holotranscobalamin means that the assay does not suffer from the interference from anti-Intrinsic Factor antibodies which can be a medically serious failing of some traditional Vitamin B12 testing methods. The Axis-Shield Active-B12 assay is a standard 96-well ELISA with break-apart strips and is supplied with all required reagents, calibrators and controls. The kit is compatible with liquid-handling automates for higher throughput.
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A multiparametric indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for the simultaneous detection of infections with different old and new world hantaviruses has been developed and evaluated in an international study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases in April 2013. The IFA utilizes BIOCHIP Mosaics, with each substrate consisting of cells infected with one of the virus types Hantaan (HTNV), Puumala (PUUV), Seoul (SEOV), Saaremaa (SAAV), Dobrava (DOBV), Sin Nombre (SNV) or Andes (ANDV). In the evaluation study, 184 confirmed seropositive sera from six diagnostic centres worldwide and 89 control sera were analysed for specific antibodies of immunoglobulin classes IgG and IgM against hantaviruses using the IFA. The assay demonstrated an overall sensitivity of 100% for all serotypes with the exception of SNV (96%) and an overall specificity of at least 98% for each serotype. 99% of the patient sera exhibited IgG antibodies and 71% IgM antibodies. Notably, the IFA was able to distinguish PUUV and ANDV infections from those with murinae-borne hantaviruses such as DOBV and SEOV, thus providing useful additional information for therapeutic decision making. The authors note that many hantavirus patients are still clinically misdiagnosed as having influenza-like infections, renal failure or idiopathic acute respiratory distress syndrome. Accurate diagnosis is, however, essential given the mortality rates of up to 35% from hantavirus syndromes. The misdiagnosis rate combined with the increasing number of hantavirus infections worldwide demonstrates the need for simple and reliable tests which allow detection of all clinically relevant hantavirus serotypes. Analysis of specific antibodies is the method of choice for diagnosing hantavirus infections. By combining the most important pathogenic hantaviruses in one assay, this IFA system is suited to detect any hantaviral infection worldwide. The test is particularly suitable for serodiagnostic screening in regions where multiple serotypes are endemic.
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