The global spread of carbapenemresistant Acinetobacter spp., and particularly A. baumannii, in healthcare settings causes a major threat to patient survival. Worldwide, drug-resistant Acinetobacter spp. are responsible for serious nosocomial outbreaks, mostly in intensive care units. Even though different resistance mechanisms have been described, production of Amber Class D oxacillinases OXA-23-like hydrolysis enzymes is the most frequently acquired mechanism. Fast and accurate detection of OXA-23-producing strains remains challenging at the laboratory level. Specific identification of oxacillinase-expressing Acinetobacter requires genotypic molecular assays that remain expensive and not commercially available. However immunochromatography lateral flow tests are cost-effective and convenient to detect drug-hydrolysing enzymes. Today, a large panel of lateral flow tests to detect carbapenemase-expressing Enterobacteriacea, named “RESIST”, is commercialized by the Belgian company Coris BioConcept. In order to fulfill the unmet need for fast and reliable detection of drugresistant Acinetobacter, Coris BioConcept developed a new lateral flow assay, “OXA- 23 K-SeT”, for the specific identification of OXA-23-mediated carbapenem-resistant in Acinetobacter spp. from a single colony. With results available in less than 15 minutes, this easy-to-use and instrument-free rapid test represents the first phenotypic, specific and non-molecular confirmatory assay for OXA-23 detection. It will expand the RESIST range of products already adopted nowadays by routine and reference laboratories worldwide, offering an additional tool to ensure the successful treatment of patients and to prevent the spread of carbapenemase-producing bacteria in healthcare settings.
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The concentration of HbA1c in the blood of diabetic patients increases with rising blood glucose levels and is representative of the mean blood glucose level over the preceding six to eight weeks.

Randox now offers a direct HbA1c assay for the rapid direct measurement of HbA1c in human blood. This assay is available to be used on the RX daytona +, RX imola and RX modena clinical chemistry analysers which are capable of performing medium to high throughput testing. This direct HbA1c test adds to the comprehensive test menu of niche and high performing assays already available at Randox.

The latex enhanced immunoturbidimetric method makes the test simple and quick to perform as only one assay is now required. Human error inaccuracies are removed as offline preparations are no longer required and are preformed on-board the RX series analysers.

For more information about our direct HbA1c assay please visit www.randox.com/hba1c-rxseries/ or contact us at therxseries@randox.com

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Jennoptik Optical Systems have developed an innovative technology to bring artificial intelligence (AI) to conventional microscopy through overlay of digital content directly into a commercial-off-the-shelf microscope’s field of view, in collaboration with Google researchers. Google has demonstrated modeling for tumour detection in histopathology slides for both prostate cancer and lymph nodes from breast cancer using the platform and presented their results at the Annual meeting for the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in April of 2018. Jenoptik designed and integrated the opto-mechanical technology at its Jupiter, Florida location, which was made possible by leveraging their Systems Engineering experience, optical R&D capabilities, and their portfolio of IP across a breadth of innovative applications and industries. The augmented microscope solution benefitted from their optical design expertise and a digital imaging platform Jenoptik developed over the past decade.
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The DxM MicroScan WalkAway system is a diagnostic system for bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing for microbiology laboratories. The DxM MicroScan WalkAway system uses direct minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for detection of antimicrobial resistance, offering greater confidence in results through gold-standard accuracy and the broadest breadth of first-time reporting. Emerging antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi, according to the World Health Organization. Up to 50,000 people die because of AMR in the U.S. and Europe alone, and one study claims that 10 million people a year could die from this global crisis by the year 2050. Timely, accurate detection of emerging AMR is of critical importance in helping to ensure patients are protected against the risk of worsening infection or its progression to life-threatening conditions such as sepsis or septic shock.
The DxM MicroScan WalkAway system allows detection of emerging resistance to the toughest pathogens. As new issues have arisen, such as carbapenemases or other resistance mechanisms, MicroScan has adapted. The panels have been updated to assist in identifying these new resistance mechanisms. At the same time, the system’s delivery of first-time gold-standard MIC accuracy helps laboratories achieve their operational goals by reducing costs associated with confirmatory—or offline—testing. Added workflow enhancements include a new fluid-level sensing technology for added assurance, easy-to-view external LED indicators that show status at a glance, quick bottle release that simplifies reagent maintenance, and integrated reliability improvements that maximize uptime. The DxM MicroScan WalkAway system is part of a full line of microbiology solutions from Beckman Coulter. Automation and standardization of all core aspects of specimen testing creates workflow efficiencies for the laboratory.
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