Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness is a life threatening neglected tropical infection affecting rural population in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease causes severe neurological disorders often leading to death if not treated. Since years, HAT control has been facilitated by the Card Agglutination Test for Trypanosomiasis (CATT/T.b.gambiense), which is particularly suited for large scale screening. But now, with the steadily decreasing prevalence of HAT, specificity becomes a critical parameter. Furthermore, the target population lives in precarious conditions (without electricity) and this test must be robust enough to be carried out in very difficult conditions. A new diagnostic test stable at ambient temperature, cheap and that can be performed with minimal training is the best solution.  To fulfil all these requirements, Coris BioConcept has developed the “HAT Sero K-SeT”, which has been successfully validated in the DR of Congo (specificity of 98,6 % ; sensitivity of 98,5 % ; n=493).

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Takyon is the new Eurogentec qPCR line developed to give access to a new level of speed in qPCR applications. Its name is inspired by the faster than light particle (Tachyon). Emerging from the combination of an optimized reaction buffer and a new efficient enzyme, Takyon for SYBR and Probe Assays ensure sensitivity and fast delivery of accurate and reproducible results. With Takyon qPCR Kits, amplification is achieved with a very short extension time of 15 seconds, enabling clear detection of low copy targets also on difficult templates together with excellent reproducibility across the different runs of the same template. Available as MasterMixes and Core Kits, Takyon kits possess universal capabilities. Combined with the company’s inert Blue Dye, it enhances visualization and reveals to the naked eye dispensing errors that may occur during assay set-up.

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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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