Analysis of 25-OH vitamin D, intact parathyroid hormone and calcitonin is useful in the diagnosis of bone metabolism disorders. This triad of parameters can be determined quickly, accurately and cost-effectively using specialised ELISA test systems from Euroimmun. The intact-parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and calcitonin ELISAs are new sandwich assays based on specific capture antibodies. The substance under investigation is bound into a complex by the antibodies and then detected by means of a colour reaction. iPTH determination represents the most important serological test for diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism and also supports the clarification of secondary and tertiary forms of the disease. Calcitonin analysis is generally employed for clarifying scintigraphically cold thyroid nodules. A high serum calcitonin level is found in medullary thyroid carcinoma (C-cell carcinoma), whereby 20 to 30% of patients with this cancer exhibit hyperparathyroidism. Hypovitaminosis D is linked to bone atrophy as well as numerous other conditions such as autoimmune diseases, infections, cancers, cardiovascular disease and mental disorders. Patients are generally treated with supplementation, but must be monitored regularly due to widely differing responses. The Euroimmun ELISA measures 25-OH vitamin D, which of all the vitamin D metabolites in the blood best reflects the current storage status. The assay employs an antibody that is equally specific for both D2 and D3 forms of the vitamin, which is critical since either D2 or D3 may be used for treatment. The ELISA shows a high correlation with the LC-MS and HPLC reference methods. The 25-OH Vitamin D, iPTH and calcitonin ELISAs are easy to perform and include ready-to-use, colour-coded reagents and break-off wells for added convenience. The test systems are compatible with all commercial washer and reader systems and can, moreover, be
 processed fully automatically on the Euroimmun Analyser.

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Biohit is introducing an improved liquid method for H. pylori detection from biopsy samples, the Helicobacter pylori UFT300 quick test. The detection is based on the detection of bacterial urease activity in gastric biopsy specimens. A gastric mucosa colonized by H. pylori is invariably inflamed, and can lead to atrophic gastritis, which has been linked with peptic ulcer and gastric cancer, two of the most important diseases of upper gastrointestinal tract. The quick test is easy to storage and perform and results are ready in a few minutes enabling diagnosis and reporting at the point of gastroscopy.
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Now available is the MassChrom LC-MS/ MS kit for the analysis of methylmalonic acid (MMA) in plasma, serum and urine. Methylmalonic acid is an intermediate of amino acid metabolism and is regarded as an early and sensitive biomarker of vitamin B12. A deficiency leads to increased levels of MMA in plasma, serum and urine. The use of special Clean-up Tubes enables a quick sample preparation that removes interfering compounds effectively. False-positive test results are prevented by chromatographic separation of the isobaric compound succinic acid. Precision of results is ensured with stable isotope-labelled internal standards as well as the matrix-adapted 3PLUS1 Multilevel Plasma and Urine Calibrators.
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Adenoviruses are non-enveloped viruses containing a double stranded DNA genome. They infect humans with 57 distinct adenovirus serotypes distributed in 6 groups from A to F and cause a wide range of illnesses, from mild respiratory infections to life-threatening multi-organ diseases in people with a weakened immune system. Most infections with adenovirus result in infections of the upper respiratory tract, conjunctivitis, ear infections or croup. But types 40 and 41 adenoviruses (group F) are mainly responsible for gastroenteritis. They infect mature enterocytes in the small intestine primarily in young children during the winter season. Some people with group F adenovirus gastroenteritis may shed the virus in their stools for months after getting rid of the symptoms. Prevalence of adenovirus 40/41 is known to be between 2 and 6 % and is the fourth cause of viral diarrhea. A specific diagnostic test like the GastroVir test developed by Coris BioConcept makes it possible to discriminate between respiratory and enteric adenovirus, since excretion could be concomitant.
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The FilmArray is a FDA-cleared multiplex PCR test that integrates sample preparation, amplification, detection and analysis all into one automated system. It requires just two minutes of hands-on-time and its turnaround time is just about an hour, giving you faster results which may lead to better patient care.

The FilmArray now has two FDA-cleared panels – the Respiratory (RP) Panel and the Blood Culture Identification (BCID) Panel. Together, these two panels test for more than a hundred species of pathogens. Thus, FilmArray is not only the fastest way to better results; it’s the fastest way to more results.

 
Phone:  800-735-6544
Website:  www.FilmArray.com
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