Thermo Fisher Scientific has expanded deployment model options for SampleManager LIMS software, offering laboratories end-to-end support of the software deployment in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud.
Under a contract agreement, Thermo Fisher will manage the entire deployment process from installation and maintenance to backup and recovery. As a result, laboratories will benefit from significantly reduced financial and human resource investment associated with setting-up, running and maintaining traditional on-premise deployments or deployments to their own cloud hosting service.
At the same time, laboratories will retain control over the software upgrades and validation schedule, while taking advantage of unlimited and secure access to data from anywhere at any time, which will drive well-informed decision making and easier cross-collaboration. Furthermore, AWS Cloud deployment will enable unparalleled levels of scalability, with the LIMS expanding to meet evolving business needs.
Richard Milne, vice president and general manager of Digital Science, said: “Life science and industrial laboratories are increasingly adopting a cloud-first approach to enterprise-wide LIMS implementation. However, managing deployments to a laboratory’s own cloud hosting service can be a costly and resource-intensive process. We have developed the new cloud services to alleviate this burden and enable SampleManager LIMS software customers to use the system’s superior functionality and integration capabilities without having to invest significant resources into the setup and ongoing management of a cloud environment.”
The Cloud Services offering has been designed to provide optimal data security and protection. In addition to the security features available through standard AWS Cloud deployments, Thermo Fisher also implements its own robust Corporate Information Security (CIS) program, which outlines additional measures in line with security-by-design principles to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of data.

• For more information, visit: www.thermofisher.com

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ender diagnostics, a Swiss company specializing in the development of rapid molecular biological tests, has launched ender MASS, its second CE-marked test to detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19. US FDA clearance is anticipated in September this year.
ender MASS is highly specific, easy-to-use and fast – providing results from a simple nasopharyngeal swab in 30 minutes. It is designed to enable rapid diagnosis for critical settings including schools, manufacturing facilities, travel, hospitals and care homes, as well as enabling centralized laboratories to accelerate and increase throughput.
ender diagnostics specializes in isothermal PCR-based test kits for laboratory and on-site diagnosis. It launched the ender LAB test in June 2020, which enables laboratories to directly detect SARS-CoV-2 on standard real-time PCR devices within 30 minutes, significantly faster than currently available PCR tests, which take several hours.
The newly approved ender MASS offers further benefits by enabling detection in a simplified and accelerated process, considerably reducing the workload for medical professionals and laboratories. It is designed to enable on-site and pop-up labs to operate rapid testing in diverse settings, potentially including travel-related locations such as airports and cruise ships. The simplified workflows and analysis mean laboratories can process up to eight times as many tests compared to conventional PCR testing over the same period.
The company is also moving ahead with development of a mobile point-of-care test for acute COVID-19 cases, called ender MOBILE. Launch in Europe is planned during Autumn this year.

• For more information, visit: https://enderdiagnostics.com

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ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence tests (IIFT) have been developed for sensitive and specific detection of antibodies against Zika virus in patient serum samples. The assays are suitable for diagnosing acute infections as well as for disease surveillance. In particular, serological analyses can aid the differentiation of infections with Zika virus, dengue virus and chikungunya virus, which manifest with similar symptoms and are endemic in much the same geographic regions. Anti-Zika Virus ELISA (IgM or IgG) are based on highly specific recombinant Zika NS1 protein which avoids cross reactivity with other flaviviruses. Data from panels of well characterized sera have confirmed that there is no cross reactivity with flaviviruses including dengue, West Nile, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis viruses. In studies on clinically and serologically characterized samples the IgM and IgG ELISA showed 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Anti-Zika Virus IIFT (IgM or IgG) utilize Zika virus-infected cells as the antigenic substrate. Positive and negative results are evaluated by fluorescence microscopy. With the Arboviral Fever Mosaic 2 the Zika virus substrate is incubated in parallel with substrates for chikungunya virus and dengue virus serotypes 1 to 4. This BIOCHIP combination can help in the differential diagnosis of Zika, dengue and chikungunya virus infections. Due to the use of whole virus particles, cross reactivities between flavivirus antibodies can occur. Serological tests provide a longer window for diagnosis than direct detection methods, which are only effective during the viremic phase within the first week after onset of symptoms. Detection of specific IgM or a significant rise in specific IgG in a pair of samples taken seven to ten days apart is evidence of an acute infection. Serological analyses are also important for prenatal monitoring, screening of donated blood and epidemiological studies. Zika virus is the pathogenic agent of Zika fever, an infectious topical disease which manifests with fever, exanthema and arthritis. Zika virus infection has been linked to congenital malformations, in particular microcephaly, and neurological complications such as Guillain-Barré syndrome. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes family. Zika virus is currently spreading explosively in the Americas.
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Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) present an increasing challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Early and correct diagnosis is important as STIs can lead to other significant health problems including infertility, many infections are asymptomatic and remain undiagnosed, and undiagnosed STIs can increase the risk of uncontrollable spread. Allowing rapid, simultaneous detection of ten sexually transmitted infection pathogens from urine samples or urogenital swabs, the Randox STI array is a highly sensitive and specific PCR amplification assay coupled with Biochip Array technology. Rapid multiplexing capbility is provided with results available in less than three hours. The pathogens detected include: Chlamydia trachomonas; Neisseria gonorrhoea; Trichomonas vaginalis; Treponema pallidum; Herpes simplex I; Herpes simplex II; Mycoplasma hominis; Mycoplasma genitalium; Ureaplasm urealyticum and Haemophilus ducrey.
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Two innovative new ELISA systems provide separate detection of the diagnostically relevant antibodies in Bordetella pertussis infections: antibodies against pertussis toxin (PT) and antibodies against filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA). Independent determination of these antibodies is critical to enable a meaningful diagnostic interpretation, as emphasised in recent publications. Determination of IgG antibodies against PT is a front-line test for the serological diagnosis of pertussis infections; it is in many cases sufficient to perform a single determination of anti-PT IgG antibodies to detect an acute infection. Results of over 100 IU/mL provide a clear indication of a fresh infection or recent vaccination, and the second blood withdrawal can be omitted. If the titre is under 40 IU/mL no further tests are required unless clinical symptoms are suggestive of a pertussis infection. Only unclear results in the range 40 to 100 IU/mL need to be followed up with a second sample taken 7-10 days later. For a more in depth investigation, IgA antibodies against PT and IgG or IgA antibodies against FHA are measured separately. Age-dependent reference ranges are available on the internet.
The Anti-Bordetella pertussis Toxin ELISA (IgA or IgG) and the Anti-Bordetella FHA ELISA (IgA or IgG) correspond to current guidelines from European reference centres. Results are evaluated in international units (IU/mL) – a worldwide first for the detection of FHA antibodies. All processes, including incubation, evaluation and result archiving, can be fully automated. A supplementary product for Bordetella serodiagnostics, the immunoblot EUROLINE Bordetella pertussis (IgA or IgG), provides separate, parallel investigation of antibodies against adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT), PT and FHA and can also be fully automated using specially developed devices and software.
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