Resistant to extreme temperatures (-196ºC to 388ºC), chemicals & solvents, alcohol, humidity & moisture, etc., CILS 8/9100 Sample I.D Labels are fully printable straight from a standard Laser, Inkjet or Thermal Transfer printer allowing variable data (batch no’s, barcodes, etc) to be added ‘in minutes’, saving time and eliminating the risk of smudged/ illegible handwritten data.

Made to any size, shape and colour coded design, the CILS specially formulated, high-tack adhesive also provides permanent long-term adhesion to all labware.

For more information on the CILS Sample I.D Labels, visit: http://www.cils-international.com/content/cils-laboratory-labelling-division
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A new ELISA provides detection of the cytokine CXCL13 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and is the first such assay worldwide to be approved for in vitro diagnostics. CXCL13 represents a novel biomarker for the early diagnosis of acute Lyme neuroborreliosis. It is present at high concentrations in CSF soon after the illness starts, even before intrathecal production of Borrelia antibodies can be detected. CXCL13 measurement thus helps to close the diagnostic gap between infection and a positive antibody test. CXCL13 is also a suitable marker for monitoring the disease course – its concentration decreases rapidly with successful therapy. The ELISA is based on a highly purified anti-CXCL13 monoclonal antibody. Measurements are made quantitatively using six calibrators. In a test panel of CSF samples from twelve neuroborreliosis patients the ELISA yielded strongly positive results in all cases, confirming its reliability and applicability. Acute neuroborreliosis is traditionally diagnosed using the clinical picture (meningitis, meningoradiculitis, neurological deficits), detection of an inflammatory CSF syndrome (e.g. pleocytosis blood-brain barrier dysfunction) and detection of intrathecal synthesis of Borrelia-specific antibodies. The antibody detection, however, unlike CXCL13 does not provide information on the activity of the disease. Furthermore, persistence of Borrelia-specific antibodies despite treatment can hinder reliable differentiation of past and active infections. The chemotactic cytokine CXCL13 is a cellular messenger which is produced by monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. It is an important chemoattractant for lymphocytes in the CSF. The detection of CXCL13 in CSF is of greatest relevance in the diagnosis of neuroborreliosis. However, increased levels of CXCL13 are also found in other inflammatory diseases of the CNS such as neurosyphilis, HIV, meningitis, streptococcus infections, toxoplasmosis and multiple sclerosis.
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The new EUROPattern system provides automated high-speed acquisition, archiving and interpretation of immunofluorescence images, supporting autoimmune disease diagnostics, in particular the analysis of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA). Alongside a high-precision optical system it has a controlled LED, which maintains a constant light flux, ensuring highly reproducible results. The exceptionally long life span (over 50,000 hours) and low power consumption of the cLED ensure cost-effectiveness. The microscope can process up to 500 analyses in succession, correctly identifying the slides by means of matrix codes. The EUROPattern system includes powerful pattern recognition software which identifies and classifies all ANA, anticytoplasmic antibodies and ANCA, even if more than one antibody is present. The system also evaluates anti-dsDNA antibodies on Crithidia luciliae as well as transfected cell substrates. Results are viewed on the PC screen, and can be checked retrospectively at the microscope if necessary. Images from further substrates such as liver, kidney and stomach can be recorded and archived. The laboratory management system EUROLabOffice, organises workflow and documents all data and processes. The software consolidates all results into one report per patient and also compares new findings with previous records. Different user levels provide a hierarchical review of results, thus increasing security. Final reports can be signed electronically and forwarded at a click of the mouse.
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Further extending the range of infectious disease diagnostic assays for use on the DiaSorin Liaison Iam analyser, the Iam HSV molecular assay provides rapid and reliable differential detection of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), vesicle swabs, plasma and whole blood, making it of enormous value in the diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis and potentially severe HSV infections in transplant patients and other immunocompromised individuals.  Together with Iam VZV for the detection of clinically relevant subtypes of Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), these assays provide valuable information for the timely treatment of severe alpha-herpesvirus infections. HSV-1 is an important cause of fatal sporadic encephalitis, although HSV-2 is more commonly associated with herpes simplex encephalitis in neonates and immunosuppressed individuals.  Early diagnosis and treatment are important to reduce and prevent neurological damage.  In transplant patients and other immunocompromised hosts, HSV may cause severe infections, frequently disseminating to the visceral organs, and can be life or organ threatening. Nucleic acid tests are the method of choice for the diagnosis and characterization of HSV infection, following baseline serology, offering greater sensitivity than viral culture.  Furthermore, molecular detection of HSV DNA in CSF is recommended for the diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis.  The ability to differentiate between HSV types can provide important prognostic information, particularly in the diagnosis of genital herpes. Like HSV, VZV is the cause of significant morbidity and mortality in transplant patients and other immunocompromised individuals.  Immunocompromised children, particularly those with leukemia, are reported to be at risk of visceral complications and even death folllowing VZV infection. Complications occur in about 20% of VZV infected immunocompromised patients and include interstitial or necrotizing pneumonia, viral hepatitis with acute liver failure, coagulopathies and bacterial superinfections. Offering excellent diagnostic sensitivity (>95% for Iam VZV and >98.5% for Iam HSV) and specificity (100% for Iam VZV and 100% for Iam HSV), and with faster time to results than conventional real-time PCR, the assays provide rapid and accurate molecular confirmation of alpha-herpesvirus infections.  Furthermore, 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.  

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Patients often show a wide range of varying symptoms and sensitization patterns against several allergens. Therefore diagnosing an allergic disease is always based on anamnesis, in-vivo testing and in-vitro diagnostics. In-vitro diagnostics in particular, i.e. the determination of specific IgE against the suspected allergens, are essential whenever an allergic response or severe reaction is suspected but furthermore also as a foundation for possible immunotherapy and its preparation. The preparation for immunotherapy requires the results of a quantitative test system like single allergen systems. These tests are expensive and need expensive laboratory equipment. With the RIDA qLine Allergy test, R-Biopharm AG has developed a sophisticated allergy in-vitro test system that combines both quantitative determination and very economic and easy handling.

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