Serum creatinine measurement is a critical data in the glomerular filtration rate estimation (eGFR). However, traditional picrate alkaline method (Jaffé) suffers from well-known interferences from other serum components. A common approach is to compensate the measured value according to experimental data but this strategy presumes that those interferences are constant in value among samples, thus leading to inaccurate results in a clear oversimplification. Enzymatic methods, on the other hand, are more specific to creatinine measurement as they are free from those interferences, and are therefore a more suitable method for the purpose of eGFR, and as such are recommended by the scientific community. BioSystems introduces this method in its portfolio for both manual and automated systems (applications available on request). The reagent is free from interferences of lipemia, hemolysis, bilirubin or ascorbic acids and can be used with serum, plasma and urine samples.

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The MiniBeadbeater-24 cell disrupter disrupts and homogenizes all cell types, from bacteria and spores to animal and plant tissues. Cell lysis takes place in sealed 2 ml microvials containing glass or ceramic beads. Nucleic acids and proteins are isolated in 1-2 minutes of beadbeating. The ultra-high energy shaking machine processes up to 24 samples, has variable speed for special applications and simple controls. Essential for PCR methodologies, the MiniBeadbeater-24 uses disposible vials and beads, thus eliminating any possibility of cross-contamination between samples.

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V-Sampler standardizes the process of preparing blood smears of high quality. The instrument enables simultaneous preparation of 2 smears and allows the setting of thickness and size of the smear. Compact and lightweight, the instrument is simple and easy to use.

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DiaSorin has further expanded its range of infectious disease assays for use on the DiaSorin Liaison Iam analyser with the launch of a new molecular assay for the rapid and reliable detection and quantification of cytomegalovirus (CMV).  CMV is the most prevalent infectious pathogen in solid organ and bone marrow transplant recipients, and can lead to allograft rejection and other serious complications. The DiaSorin Iam CMV assay is used to detect and quantify clinically relevant subtypes of CMV in human plasma, urine and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), making it a valuable tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of CMV infection in transplant recipients and other immunocompromised individuals. Reactivation of latent CMV infection can occur in immunocompromised individuals. With increasing numbers of transplant recipients, as well as expanding indications for immune-modulating agents, the number of people at risk of CMV disease and related complications is increasing. The direct and indirect effects of CMV infection can have a significant impact on outcomes for transplant recipients. Furthermore, CMV is a major cause of morbidity in AIDS patients and in others with impaired immunity, for example due to sarcoidosis, lymphoma and corticosteroid therapy. Clinical manifestations amongst these patient groups include retinitis, pneumonitis, gastrointestinal disease and neurological disorders. Based on the innovative DiaSorin Q-LAMP technology, Iam CMV is the latest addition to an expanding portfolio of infectious disease assays for use on the DiaSorin Liaison Iam analyser. It is a molecular assay for the detection of CMV in human amniotic fluid and for the detection and quantification of the virus in human plasma, urine and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Iam CMV has been standardized against the WHO CMV International Standard (NIBSC, UK), as recommended in the updated International Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Cytomegalovirus in Solid Organ Transplantation. With excellent intra-run precision (≤ 0.3 log cps/mL) and with diagnostic sensitivity (≥97%) and specificity (100%) comparable to conventional PCR, but with results in a fraction of the time required by PCR, Iam CMV provides a rapid and accurate method for the timely diagnosis and monitoring of CMV infection. The small footprint, ease of use and scalable design of the benchtop Liaison Iam Molecular Instrument makes it ideal for use in laboratory facilities of all sizes, including those that are located close to the patient. In addition to being used for the detection and monitoring of CMV infection in immunocompromised individuals, Iam CMV is also used in the diagnosis of maternal and fetal CMV infection in early pregnancy and for monitoring CMV infection in affected babies. The Iam CMV assay is CE marked and available for use outside of the USA and Canada.

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Serological tests have been developed for the detection of antibodies against MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) in humans and in camels. MERS-CoV is an emerging pathogen which is responsible for an outbreak of severe acute respiratory illness predominantly in the Arabian Peninsula with a high number of fatalities. Camels are known hosts of the virus. The Anti-MERS-CoV indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT) is an established, highly sensitive screening test for anti-MERS-CoV antibodies in human sera. The assay utilizes virus-infected cells as the antigenic substrate, with non-infected cells serving as a control. Positive samples yield a distinct fluorescence pattern on the infected cells. The EUROIMMUN Anti-MERS-CoV ELISA is the first commercially available anti-MERS-CoV ELISA. The assay microplates are coated with purified recombinant MERS-CoV spike protein S1 domain, which provides high sensitivity and specificity and reduces cross reactions with other human coronaviruses. Nevertheless, cross reactivity with other coronaviruses cannot be excluded with either the ELISA or the IIFT. For this reason, positive screening results should always be confirmed by a neutralization test, as stipulated by the World Health Organisation. The Anti-MERS-CoV IIFT Camel and the Anti-MERS-CoV ELISA Camel are based on the same test principles as the human tests and are suitable for determining antibody levels in camels. The human and camel serological assays have been used in numerous published studies on MERS-CoV infection mechanisms. Notably, it was found that there are no significant levels of anti-MERS-CoV antibodies in human subjects from Saudi Arabia. This implies that the virus has not been circulating in humans for long and that the majority of the population remains susceptible to infection. Studies in dromedary camels, on the other hand, have revealed high seropositivity in animals from the Arab region and Eastern Africa, even in samples that are decades old. Thus, MERS-CoV appears to have been circulating widely in dromedaries for some time. Since the virus can sporadically pass from camels to humans, dromedaries represent a significant risk factor for infection in people.

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