HA5, a new 5-diff hematology system based on microfluidics, complements Biosystems’ portfolio of products addressed to routine laboratories. Implementing state-of-the-art technology, microfluidics allows reducing reagent consumption up to approximately 75% compared to other analysers on the market. That means not only saving on handling, storage and transportation cost, but also advantages in reagent management as a 400-test single pack contains all the reagents required to perform the analysis, with a weight just slightly over 5kg. HA5 works in closed mode with standard vacuum tubes. Once the tube is loaded, a built-in rotor assures correct homogenization of the sample before proceeding with the analysis, with a throughput of 60 tests/hour. The measuring method uses laser-based flow cytometry with forward-scattered light detection and volumetric impedance; it provides a 26-parameter complete blood cell count report that includes RBC and PLT histograms, as well as a 5-part WBC scattergram. A large full-colour LCD touchscreen with an intuitive interface allows clear and easy operation, including reagent and controls management through QR codes, patient identification through barcode reader, LIS communication and personalized laboratory configuration. The small footprint (283 x 226 x 333 mm) of the instrument allows its installation even in very reduced spaces, making it especially suited for Emergency Departments, ICUs, private clinics, blood banks, or even in mobile care units.

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Recently launched is a high-performance real-time PCR assay: Meningitis Viral 2 ELITe MGB Panel for viral meningitis diagnosis, validated with ELITe InGenius, ELITechGroup’s fully automated sample to result system. Viruses are the most common causative agent of meningitis. Although presenting similar onset, viral and bacterial meningitis are associated with entirely different outcomes. Rapid and accurate diagnosis by molecular method is important to identify the viral agent, rule out a bacterial infection, and adapt patient management. Meningitis Viral ELITe MGB Panel 2 is a multiplex assay validated with cerebrospinal fluid samples, which combines reverse transcription and real-time PCR amplification for the detection and the differentiation of Enterovirus, Parechovirus and Adenovirus in one single reaction. The clinical studies have demonstrated excellent performance: 100% diagnostic sensitivity and 100% specificity for all targets. The validation with the ELITe InGenius system offers several advantages to laboratories: results in only 2h30 with limited hands-on time, emergency testing performed in parallel of any routine samples within the same run, and storage of extracted nucleic acid for an optimal use of precious CSF samples for retesting, additional molecular testing, or archiving. The ELITe InGenius menu for molecular diagnosis of meningitis will be further broadened in the coming months, with an additional real-time PCR multiplex assay for the detection of the main causative agents of bacterial meningitis.

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β-lactamase enzymes inactivate β-lactam antibiotics and render them ineffective for the treatment of clinically-important Gram-negative bacterial infections. Now, two new kits from Streck Inc. provide a comprehensive, cost-effective molecular method to detect the most clinically-important β-lactamases that confer resistance to penicillins, cephamycins, and in some cases, carbapenems. The antibiotic resistance monitoring and detection (ARM-D) kits, are multiplex real-time PCR kits that can quickly detect more than 450 β-lactamase gene variants. The ARM-D Kit, β-Lactamase detects 9 different carbapenemases, ESBLs and plasmid-mediated ampC gene families. The ARM-D Kit, ampC kit targets 6 plasmid-mediated ampC resistance gene families and can differentiate plasmid-mediated ampC β-lactamase resistance from chromosomal resistance. These genotypic detection methods identify the most prevalent types of β-lactamase-based antibiotic resistance and complement phenotypic methods for the detection of multidrug resistant organisms. They can be used with standard susceptibility tests to improve surveillance and epidemiologic tracking, for improved infection control and increased effectiveness of antibiotic stewardship programmes. AmpC β-lactamases are chromosomally encoded in many bacterial species. Their overexpression can lead to resistance to most β-lactam antibiotics, causing therapeutic failure. Transmissible plasmids with acquired genes for AmpC β-lactamases often cause increased β-lactamase production and can appear in organisms lacking or having low-level expression of a chromosomal ampC gene. Resistance due to plasmid-mediated AmpC enzymes can be broad in spectrum and often hard to detect. As Gram-negative organisms producing multiple or plasmid-mediated β-lactamases are difficult to identify phenotypically, more specific detection methods are essential for the identification of clinically important β-lactamases and selection of the appropriate antibiotic therapy. Detection and genetic identification of both plasmid-mediated and chromosomally expressed AmpC β-lactamases are crucial for a better understanding of these resistance mechanisms and, consequently, for active surveillance and infection control.
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Now available to laboratories, the Atellica NEPH 630 System is a low- to mid-volume nephelometric protein testing solution that simplifies laboratory operations by unifying instrument, assay, IT connectivity and remote service disciplines to deliver advancements in protein testing. Nephelometry is a laboratory technique used to quantify specific levels of proteins found in blood and other bodily fluids. Information on the concentration of these proteins is important in assessing and monitoring cardiovascular risk, kidney diseases, neurological disorders, nutritional status and other diseases, such as multiple myeloma. While many systems only support protein level assessment on plasma or serum, the Atellica NEPH 630 System offers the broadest menu of protein tests for assessment of urine, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma and serum, enabling enhanced quantification of certain health conditions. Proven nephelometric technology provides high precision, reproducibility and pre-reaction protocols for high antigen-excess security. These are essential components for result accuracy and minimize the need for repeat testing. Because advanced antigen-excess checks, single-use cuvettes and kinetic curve displays are incorporated into the instrument, labs can report
results with confidence. To accommodate different testing volumes, the Atellica NEPH 630 System offers multiple reagent package sizes, resulting in less waste for laboratories. Additionally, lot-to-lot reagent consistency ensures concordance between results, providing physicians with greater insight into the patients’ disease progression. The Atellica NEPH 630 System streamlines workflow with highly intelligent software for secure, smart and simple testing. The instrument’s ability to integrate with the company’s process-management software—Atellica PM 1.0 Software—will minimize operator intervention, while providing insight into individual and multi-site lab workflow, enabling labs to spot trends and implement process changes for enhanced clinical, financial and operational efficiencies. The system also connects to Siemens Remote Service to help labs minimize downtime via remote monitoring and to provide rapid, efficient technical support when needed. To support multi-site labs, the Atellica NEPH 630 System offers result correlation with the company’s BN II System. Standardized reagents and consumables across both platforms enable high-volume and multisite labs to realize significant improvements in labour efficiency and cost savings.

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The Aquila 3-part differential hematology analyser (60 samples /hour throughput) can be used in many testing locations where high-quality complete blood count (CBC) results are desired. The instrument provides an optimal testing solution for both the experienced and inexperienced user, and practices which require a high-quality hematology analyser. Specifically designed for the decentralized laboratory and near-patient testing situations, this small analyser has low reagent consumption (<12ml), requires only a small sample size (20µl) and has a unique on-board reagent pack (sufficient for approximately 200 measurement cycles). With a small footprint, the analyser can be used in many locations, including small laboratories and in point-of-care applications. The low instrument reagent consumption coupled with its on-board reagent pack ensure that the shipping, storage and usage of reagents deliver enhanced ease of use as well as significant cost reductions. The newly available analyser, while requiring little bench space, features a large touch screen, an intuitive user interface, an optional back-up battery pack and extended connectivity options.
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