The Randox Lipoprotein (a) assay provides a highly sensitive and specific method for the detection of Lp(a) in human serum and plasma.  The assay is based on an immunoturbidimetric method and is suitable for use on most chemistry analyzers furthermore it is one of the only commercially available methods not affected by the varying size of Apo(a). 

The European Atherosclerosis Society, National Cholesterol Education Programme and National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry recognise the usefulness of Lp(a) and recommend testing those with a family history of CVD or those at moderate to high risk.  

• Liquid ready-to-use reagents
• Measuring range 2.1 – 90mg/dl
• No sample preparation required
• 30 day onboard stability
• Excellent correlation to ELISA reference method

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Based on fluorescence in situ hybridisation and designed to differentiate Staphylococcus aureus from coagulase-negative Staphylococci in positive blood cultures, the hemoFISH S.aureus/CNS Screen supports clinicians in effectively managing blood stream infections. The test also fits perfectly in today’s laboratory routine. Total turnaround time is only 15 minutes so that results can be reported together with the Gram stain. In addition, up to 12 blood cultures can be processed and analysed simultaneously, allowing microbiologists to apply this test in a batch mode. Importantly, the simple and robust assay procedure, which includes intrinsic controls in every test, is very accurate.Besides the hemoFISH product line, multiplex tests for semi-quantitative identification of pneumoniarelated pathogens directly from respiratory secretions are offered.
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Pertussis toxin is a protein exclusively produced by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which causes the respiratory infectious disease pertussis (whooping cough) in humans. The typical symptoms are frequent and severe cough attacks with a whooping sound and vomiting. The infection can be fatal for infants that have not yet been vaccinated against pertussis. Vaccination does not provide lifelong protection. Adult pertussis can be difficult to diagnose due to milder symptoms and often due to the lack of the characteristic whooping sound and vomiting. Adults with pertussis are therefore the main source of infection for unvaccinated infants. Diagnosis and treatment of adult pertussis can eventually reduce infant pertussis cases. Bordetella pertussis is only present in the airways for the first few weeks after the infection but the symptoms last for a longer period due to presence of the toxin and several other virulence factors. Diagnostic methods detecting the bacterium itself (culture and PCR) are therefore only useful early in the infection. Serology is, however, very efficient for diagnosis of patients with prolonged cough. Pertussis toxin is the recommended antigen for pertussis ELISA as there is no risk of cross-reactions with other bacterial antigens. The Bordetella pertussis IgG-PT ELISA kit is a traditional ELISA setup, which has been developed using purified pertussis toxin. Four standard samples are provided to establish the standard curve. The dilution method is the same for the standards and samples. Heat-treated sera can be analysed with this method without the risk of false-positive results. The sensitivity and specificity value is 81 % and 96 % respectively based on data from Denmark using a cut-off at 75 IU/mL. The test can be carried out either in one day or with overnight incubation for the first step. The plate can be split to facilitate more than one run of the kit. The kit contains enough reagents including controls to perform 24 – 44 test. Shelf life is minimum one year from date of shipment.
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Responding to the growing demand for accurate vitamin D testing, SeraCon Vitamin D Depleted Diluent is a high-quality human plasma-based matrix instrumental in the development of accurate Vitamin D assays. Derived entirely from human plasma, it an extremely valuable tool for in vitro diagnostics manufacturers, allowing them to greatly improve the accuracy, consistency and sensitivity of their vitamin D assays. Meeting the needs of the most sensitive test methods, the product is certified <1 ng/mL Vitamin D2/D3 based on testing by LC-MS/MS and immunoassay. The product is available in large lots of up to 200 litres and donor units are pooled to ensure lot-to-lot consistency, making it an ideal option for high-volume production environments.
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Lab automation can help handle increasing workloads from the growing demand for in vitro diagnostic testing and allows better use of personnel. The circular track and modular design of the Aptio Automation platform ensures that it can be adapted to nearly any lab or testing environment. It also offers connectivity to Siemens’ portfolio of automation-ready analysers, thus facilitating a multidisciplinary approach to testing. The point-inspace aspiration feature helps streamline workflow by reducing the need to aliquot (or divide) samples, and its puck-based system with radio frequency identification enables individual sample routing and tracking, along with STAT prioritization. The system delivers comprehensive analytics via powerful, centralized information technology, while having the flexibility to provide pre- and post-analytical capabilities. The company’s CentraLink data management system facilitates efficient sample flow, auto-verification, quick access to samples and proactive quality control. This can also be customized for the end user, which speeds up system access and supports error reduction.
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