The DCA® HbA1c test kit, used for more than two decades to monitor patients, can now be used as an aid to diagnose diabetes and identify patients at risk for developing the disease. The dual use kit, for both monitoring and diagnosing, is available for sale in EU countries and countries not requiring any local regulatory clearances under part #10698915. Early detection and tight glycemic control help mitigate the serious conditions that accompany diabetes: heart and kidney disease, limb neuropathy, retinopathy, and stroke. More importantly, patients identified as being at risk can stop or reverse disease progression through lifestyle adjustments and/or pharmacological treatment. Availability of results at the time of visit provides healthcare providers and educators the opportunity to have meaningful, faceto- face discussions regarding treatment options. From a convenience and scheduling standpoint, it eliminates multiple visits for pre-visit blood draws or post-testing follow-up consultation. The DCA Vantage® analyser is just one of two point-of-care HbA1c analysers that meet NGSP performance criteria.
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The new STAT-Site M ß-HB quantitative strip-based test for ß-Hydroxybutyrate (ß-HB) provides a quick and easy assessment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), delivering results in less than 80 seconds. The presence and degree of ketosis can be rapidly assessed at the point-of-care by accurately measuring blood levels of ß-HB, which accounts for 78% of the three ketone bodies, from just 10 µL of serum or plasma. This provides useful information to provide quality care when monitoring DKA in newly diagnosed patients, whilst also reducing time and costs in an intensive care unit setting.

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A new test kit for Soluble Tumour Necrosis Factor receptor 1 (sTNFr1) is available for sale. sTNFr1 identifies diabetic patients at high risk of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) up to 10 years in advance. Based on a standard ELISA, the test detects circulating levels of sTNFr1 in just a few hours. Early diagnosis of ESRD leads to improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. The ELISA kit was developed in conjunction with the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, USA. 20 years after the onset of overt nephropathy, approximately 20% of diabetic patients will have progressed to ESRD. The sTNFr1 assay will lead to improvements in the way ESRD is detected and managed.
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The stabilization of urine is most important if the specimen cannot be analysed within two hours. A particular problem is exponential bacterial growth, since certain bacteria divide every 20 minutes. This can lead to an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, making detection difficult. Furthermore, the lysis of cells is accelerated in native urine at room temperature, altering the concentration of various analytes constantly. This problem is essential for longer transportation and processing times. It has been shown, that on average 15% of urine samples intended for urine culture are contaminated. Some additives that may have been used up to now for stabilization have proven not to be optimal, as oft en the additive does not dissolve quickly or fully. The new Vacuette Urine CCM tube contains a stabilizer in powder form, which keeps the urine sample stable for up to 48 hours at 20 – 25°C. During this time period, the urine specimen can be stored or transported without refrigeration. All mandatory and facultative uropathogenic bacteria can be stabilized and reliably detected in the Vacuette Urine CCM tube for up to 48 hours. A particular advantage is the high solubility of the stabilizer in powder form. By inverting the tube several times, the urine mixes completely with the stabilizer additive, ensuring quick stabilization of the urine sample. The tube can be used for urine screening (strip test, sediment, clinical chemistry) and/or for microbiology, since sample stability is guaranteed for up to 48 hours. The extensive application in urine diagnostics makes daily routine work easier and more efficient: one urine sample for a broad range of determinations. This is not only an advantage for medical staff but also for the patient. Made from shatter-proof, highly transparent PET plastic, the Vacuette Urine CCM tube with safety cap is user-friendly as it is especially easy to open. This allows for a hygienic operating method, with no risk of splashes or aerosols.
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Celiac quick test is the latest addition to Biohit’s GI tract quick test portfolio and makes it easy to test for celiac disease right at the point of care. Results are obtained by testing antitissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibodies from a blood sample. The blood sample is taken from finger tip and incubated with buffer on the test plate. Already after 10 minutes the result is ready for visual reading. The test is useful for general practitioners, endoscopists, outpatient departments and dietetics. (The product is not available in the United States or Canada).
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