C-Reactive Protein is an extremely useful parameter to evaluate acute phase episodes as it quickly reflects the reaction of the organism but is also a useful parameter to monitor infectious or inflammatory state. The normal level of CRP is very low but it can increase more than one thousand-fold in a very short time to decrease progressively in the next 72 hours. If CRP doesn’t return to its basal level there is a clear indication that some clinical action is required. As the range of values that CRP may show in a patient is very wide, analytical methods need to optimize their performance in terms of sensitivity at low values and measure range to cover the most common pathological ranges. BioSystems SA is now introducing its new latex immunoturbidimetry kit of CRP-extended range (CRP-er), covering a range from 1,3 to 300 mg/L, with no pro-zone up to 1000 mg/L and no interference from hemoglobin, lipemia or rheumatoid factors. The test uses a five-point calibration curve stable up to 2 months and it is suitable for use in automatic analysers. Standards and controls suitable for extended range are also available.
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Pertussis is a very contagious disease which spreads from person to person usually by coughing or sneezing or when spending a lot of time near one another and sharing breathing space. The most important cause for whooping cough (pertussis) is B. pertussis, followed by B. parapertussis. Bordetella holmesii has been isolated from patients with a serious underlying disease. Despite vaccination pertussis remains endemic in most areas of the world. Reliable diagnosis is required to start appropriate treatment, particularly with non-vaccinated infants in whom pertussis might present as a life-threatening disease. The VIASURE Bordetella real time PCR detection kit is designed for the diagnosis of Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis and/or Bordetella holmesii in respiratory samples. The real time PCR reaction generates an increased fluorescent signal which is proportional to the DNA target and can be monitored and quantitated. Thanks to its stabilized form, transport and storage of the kits can be performed at room temperature, allowing shipment to anywhere in the world.

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A major software upgrade for the RAPIDComm Data Management System (V6.0) makes it possible to centrally manage in vitro diagnostics analysers and operators at the point-of-care (POC). In addition to the system’s enhanced productivity and performance features, RAPIDComm V6.0 now connects with POC cardiac devices. Point-of-care coordinators face tremendous workflow challenges when implementing and managing POC testing programmes. They are typically responsible for managing the testing done at dozens of locations on hundreds of devices and by thousands of operators, all while ensuring results are delivered quickly and reliably, and that compliance requirements of the laboratory remain satisfied. RAPIDComm V6.0 offers a complete solution for POC data management with the addition of cardiac support. With connectivity to the Stratus CS 200 Acute Care Diagnostic System, the RAPIDComm system facilitates increased accessibility and oversight for point-of-care coordinators. System features such as the lock-out component—which prohibits operators not yet certified to use the equipment from running tests—are designed to improve compliance practices and enhance patient safety. With the introduction of several performance and productivity features, RAPIDComm V6.0 also reduces manual intervention and physical transmittal of data from one device to another. RAPIDComm system V6.0 integrates with multiple host connections and includes time synchronization with the CLINITEK Status Connect System, which automatically synchronizes the instruments daily for consistency across the point-of-care environment. RAPIDComm system V6.0 also introduces a new configurable backup utility, making it easier for customers with remote database configurations to directly manage their database backup activities. Further, Material Use Reports for diabetes and urinalysis aid in inventory management, while Device Status alerts, email notifications and operator comments alert coordinators when the instruments need attention.
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Among the most clinically significant multidrug-resistant bacteria are carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Because these bacteria usually remain susceptible to polymyxins, interest in this old class of antibiotics has been recently renewed. However, the increasing use of colistin explains why Enterobacterial strains resistant to colistin are increasingly reported worldwide. Currently available polymyxins susceptibility methods are fastidious and time-consuming (24 hours). ELITechGroup Microbiology releases its new Rapid Polymyxin NP test proposed as a rapid, reliable and cost-effective test to detect polymyxins (polymyxin E or Colistin, polymyxin B) resistant Enterobacteriaceae. This test is based on the detection of the glucose metabolization related to bacterial growth in presence of a defined concentration of colistin. Formation of acid metabolites consecutive to the glucose metabolization is evidenced by a colour change (orange to yellow) of a pH indicator. The Rapid Polymyxin NP test is easy-to-perform, very sensitive and specific. It can detect in only a couple of hours polymyxin-resistant and –susceptible isolates from any enterobacterial species, regardless of the molecular mechanism of polymyxins resistance. This test offers the possibility of detecting polymyxins resistance from bacterial cultures before any antimicrobial drug susceptibility testing results are obtained. Results are obtained at least 16 hours sooner with this test than with the reference broth microdilution method. It is as reliable as the reference dilution technique but much less cumbersome and is not based on diffusion of large polymyxin molecules in agar, which therefore prevents false susceptibility results. The rapid polymyxin NP test can be used to screen resistance to polymyxins in countries facing endemic spread of carbapenemase producers and for which polymyxins are last-resort drugs. But it also enables anywhere else the rapid identification of carriers of polymyxin resistant isolates, thus leading to rapid implementation of adequate hygiene measures to control their spread.

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Fecal calprotectin (fCAL) is the most important marker for in vitro diagnostic detection of gut inflammation. Immunological quantitation is well established and is used in the diagnostic work-up of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and in the lifelong monitoring of these chronic conditions.
fCAL testing today requires a raised level of lab resources including stool sample handling, extraction and the use of traditional immunological testing methods, i.e. ELISA.
The BÜHLMANN fCAL turbo assay is a big step towards full automation. It reduces the time to result to 10 minutes and the total hands-on time significantly. It offers the possibility of random access on your existing clinical chemistry platform. Validated applications are available for many analysers.
The combination with the proprietary extraction device CALEX Cap for pre-analytical sample preparation simplifies and accelerates stool diagnostics significantly. The BÜHLMANN fCAL turbo utilizes the well-established standardization of the BÜHLMANN fCAL ELISA to provide reliability, comparability and continuity of measurements.

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