QDx Hemostat is a compact handheld POC hemoglobin meter for measuring hemoglobin from a finger prick of whole blood. This hemoglobin measuring system is intended to help people manage their hemoglobin levels. It also provides healthcare professionals with helpful information by measuring hemoglobin in fresh capillary whole blood as well as venous blood. Calibration is done by simply inserting the code key into the test meter. The virtually painless test requires only 1 μL sample volume and provides quick results in five seconds. The device features a large display, a 100-test memory and a measuring range of 5 – 26 g/dL. Battery life allows 3,000 tests to be performed. By using Hemostat, a check of both quantitative hemoglobin and hematocrit will give quick results within 5 seconds. Only 1 μL sample volume is needed which makes it nearly painless for the patient. The ergonomic design allows comfortable usage.
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A range of new assays has been released by Siemens for use on the ADVIA Centaur and IMMULITE XPi 2000 systems. The range includes anti-CCP used as an aid in the evaluation of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and the first automated quantitative thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) assay used in the diagnosis of Graves’ disease. The ADVIA Centaur anti-CCP assay is for use in the semi-quantitative determination of the IgG class of autoantibodies specific to cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) in human serum and plasma, aiding with the diagnosis of RA. The assay provides 96% specificity for an early accurate diagnosis of RA, ensuring improved patient care by allowing timely intervention and treatment. The Siemens IMMULITE 2000 XPi thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) assay specifically detects thyroid stimulating antibodies, which are the hallmark of Graves’ disease, unlike the commonly used TRAb assay which detects both stimulating and blocking antibodies. This makes the assay highly specific, to aid in the disease’s diagnosis. With a clinical sensitivity and specificity of 98.3% and 99.7% respectively, it ensures laboratories can provide a fast, easy and specific diagnosis. The addition of the new assays to the existing extensive range will help laboratory staff integrate testing into routine workflow, reducing the need for send-away testing. This enables laboratories to reduce operational costs and time, as well as becoming more productive and efficient.
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The DxH 500 hematology system with CE Mark is an openvial instrument offering a throughput of up to 60 samples per hour. It is the first analyser in a new range of workflowefficient hematology analysers able to deliver accurate, robust results from a finger prick of blood. The DxH 500 analyser has been specifically designed for low-volume hematology workloads and to promote rapid specimen turnaround and reduce patient wait times in small- and medium-sized clinics. Smaller than a standard microwave, the new instrument is able to provide a complete blood count (CBC) plus 5-part differential from as little as 12μL of whole blood or from 20μL of whole blood for pre-dilute analysis. This makes the DxH 500 ideal for pediatric and geriatric patients, for whom sample taking can be difficult. It is part of Beckman Coulter’s line of DxH hematology instruments (the DxH Workcell, DxH 800 Cellular Analysis System and DxH Slidemaker Stainer) incorporating the company’s multidimensional, high-definition flow cytometric technology. As part of the multi-site clinical reliability study to test its performance, uptime and workflow efficiencies, 36,000 samples were run across 26 sites in five continents. The DxH 500 exhibited less than or equal to one service call per year, providing uptime of more than 98%. In addition to high reliability, the system has several additional features to provide maximum uptime, with automatic start-up, fast reagent changes, no soft tubing, and minimum moving parts. It operates like a mobile phone, using touch screen technology so there is no need to add a PC and monitor. Low power consumption also reduces operational costs, with LED lighting replacing traditional lasers. The DxH 500 uses 50% less reagent volume per sample compared to other low-volume analysers so that a single set of reagent bottles can support hundreds of tests. Further, the DxH 500 needs only three reagents, which take less than two minutes each to replace, making better use of staff time and supporting a consistent workflow throughout the day. By providing non-toxic, cyanide-free and formaldehyde-free reagents, labs can reduce the cost of disposal and more easily meet environmental and regulatory compliance standards. Additionally, the DxH 500 supports laboratories’ paperless efforts with a bidirectional laboratory information system (LIS) interface for better data keeping. This integrated LIS interface can potentially help reduce data errors that occur during manual processes.
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The growing concern about the proliferation of Zika infections in the Caribbean, Central and South America, has turned the fight against the virus in a global health emergency. The infection is mainly transmitted through the bite of the Aedes spp mosquitoes and presents symptoms like mild fever, arthralgia, myalgia, asthenia, headache and maculopapular rash clinical symptoms, plus additional symptoms like conjunctivitis, retroorbital pain, lymphadenopathy and diarrhea. There is widespread concern about the association of the Zika Virus with increasing cases of congenital microcephaly. Other research indicate that the virus can cause brain damage. CerTest Biotec has developed a new kit for the identification of Zika virus in patients presenting symptoms of the disease. This new "ready-for-use" product contains all the necessary components and reagents to perform a test that detects viral Zika RNA using the real time PCR technique. It is very important to complete the identification of the virus in the early stages of infection; therefore, it is recommended that samples of blood, serum and/or saliva are collected during the first 5 days after the onset of symptoms. The VIASURE Zika Virus real time PCR detection kit is designed for specific identification and quantification of Zika virus in clinical samples from patients with signs and symptoms of Zika virus infection. This test is intended for use as an aid in the diagnosis of the Zika virus in humans in combination with clinical and epidemiological risk factors. RNA is extracted from specimens, amplified using RT-amplification and detected using fluorescent reporter dye probes specific for Zika virus.
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MP Diagnostics’ newly launched MULTISURE Range consists of three separate devices for the diagnosis of diseases that are of major health concern: Dengue, HIV and HCV. The MULTISURE rapid tests are qualitative immunochromatographic assays intended for the screening of dengue, HIV and HCV infections and are equipped with MP Diagnostics’ patented reverse flow technology. The patented reverse flow technology enhances visual identification for easier interpretation of results. MP Diagnostics’ ASSURE Reader and ASSURE Palm Reader are developed for use with the MULTISURE range of rapid tests and are fully integrated instruments designed for the institution’s needs. The MP ASSURE readers complement the reading and documentation of results for both laboratory and point-of-care settings. With the latest upgrade in software, the MP ASSURE readers’ integration to management systems would be seamless for all users.

The new test range is for research use only in the United States.

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