V-Chromer III is a slide stainer with a pre-programmed standardized May-Grunwald Giemsa staining protocol. Protection of personnel and environment is supported by the utilization of charcoal filter for evaporation control while odours are neutralized. Featuring minimal reagent consumption, the instrument prevents contamination of reagents thanks to a drip system and doesn’t require connection to a water supply and drainage system.
Read more

A new ELISA provides detection of the cytokine CXCL13 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and is the first such assay worldwide to be approved for in vitro diagnostics. CXCL13 represents a novel biomarker for the early diagnosis of acute Lyme neuroborreliosis. It is present at high concentrations in CSF soon after the illness starts, even before intrathecal production of Borrelia antibodies can be detected. CXCL13 measurement thus helps to close the diagnostic gap between infection and a positive antibody test. CXCL13 is also a suitable marker for monitoring the disease course – its concentration decreases rapidly with successful therapy. The ELISA is based on a highly purified anti-CXCL13 monoclonal antibody. Measurements are made quantitatively using six calibrators. In a test panel of CSF samples from twelve neuroborreliosis patients the ELISA yielded strongly positive results in all cases, confirming its reliability and applicability. Acute neuroborreliosis is traditionally diagnosed using the clinical picture (meningitis, meningoradiculitis, neurological deficits), detection of an inflammatory CSF syndrome (e.g. pleocytosis blood-brain barrier dysfunction) and detection of intrathecal synthesis of Borrelia-specific antibodies. The antibody detection, however, unlike CXCL13 does not provide information on the activity of the disease. Furthermore, persistence of Borrelia-specific antibodies despite treatment can hinder reliable differentiation of past and active infections. The chemotactic cytokine CXCL13 is a cellular messenger which is produced by monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. It is an important chemoattractant for lymphocytes in the CSF. The detection of CXCL13 in CSF is of greatest relevance in the diagnosis of neuroborreliosis. However, increased levels of CXCL13 are also found in other inflammatory diseases of the CNS such as neurosyphilis, HIV, meningitis, streptococcus infections, toxoplasmosis and multiple sclerosis.
Read more

The new Sens Point handheld lactate analyser is designed for professional use with built-in connectivity functions to hospital or lab information systems. The measuring time is only 10 seconds using 0.2μl sample volume. The handheld analyser has a lightweight, ergonomic design and is highly accurate, offering excellent correlation to lab analysers. Its intuitive user interface utilizes a large high resolution colour display. The device also features an integrated barcode scanner. Results can be linked to operator ID, patient ID, time, date and LOT number of sensors, allowing traceability of users and eliminating use by untrained staff. Results are printable using a small external Bluetooth-enabled printer.
Read more

BioPorto’s new ELISA Kit will enable researchers to measure the monomeric form of NGAL with a highly specific assay for monomeric NGAL, which cross-reacts less than 1 % with the homo-dimer form of NGAL. During the past 5 years, researchers around the world have discussed and debated different theories about NGAL molecular forms (monomer, homodimer, heterodimer). The discussions have been about which of the forms are the predominant in different clinical situations, and also if one form is more specific for one clinical diagnosis than the other. BioPorto is now making the unique monomer-specific ELISA kit publicly available. This is the first monomer-specific NGAL assay on the market. The assay has already been used in two communications, at poster level, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology in both 2012 and 2013 (Bagert et al). The assay is for research use only, not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Read more

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has proven to be one of the most significant new markers in reproductive endocrinology in the last 10 years. The new Access AMH assay brings automation and convenience to Beckman Coulter’s established AMH tests, which include the AMH Gen II ELISA assay and the Immunotech EIA AMH/MIS assay. Access AMH is the only automated assay having excellent correlation to AMH Gen II, providing laboratories and physicians with convenient results that are consistent with current test values and published literature. Access AMH improves test accuracy by combining the proven AMH Gen II antibodies with calibrators using recombinant human AMH to provide a direct comparison to human patient samples. Assay features include convenient transition to automated testing through consistent and standardized results with Beckman Coulter’s AMH Gen II assay; improved support of fertility assessment through increased sensitivity and precision at the low end of the analytical measuring range; improved accuracy of patient results from calibrators prepared with recombinant human AMH; efficient and cost-effective results with less technician handling time and increased ease of use compared to manual assays; speed and flexibility through fully automated instrumentation; increased stability from lyophilized calibrators. The Access AMH assay has obtained CE marking and is now available on Beckman Coulter’s Access 2 immunoassay system in Europe and other select markets. The assay will be available on all Beckman Coulter immunoassay systems in Q4 of 2014. Beckman Coulter will continue to offer the AMH Gen II and IOT AMH assays along with its new automated AMH assay.
Read more