Sensitive Screening Herpes Test
With a Westernblot confirmatory test

Euroimmun US has announced the availability of a sensitive screening test (ELISA or indirect immunofluorescence) with a specific confirmatory test (Westernblot) to ensure reliable serological diagnosis of infections with herpes simplex viruses (HSV). In the microplate ELISA assay, herpes type-specific glycoproteins are used as the antigens. Test kits with glycoprotein C1 (for identifying antibodies against HSV-1) and glycoprotein G2 (for antibodies against HSV-2) permit reliable serological differentiation between infections with HSV-1 and HSV-2. Recent studies have indicated that cross reactivity of HSV-2 antibodies with HSV-1, giving rise to false positive results, is not an issue with the Euroimmun test. In the IFA HSV-1 or HSV-2- infected cells are used as the substrate. The Euroimmun IFA test contains two BIOCHIPS, the substrates, in each test field. (The HSV-1-infected cells and the HSV-2 infected cells are two individual substrates side by side in the same well). This combination permits the initial differentiation between HSV-1 antibodies and HSV-2 antibodies in a single test. The BIOCHIP Mosaic (the inclusion of multiple distinct substrates in one well) can also be expanded to include other infectious agents as substrates. The IFA assays are run via the TITERPLANE Technique, a fast and easy-to-use manual method that provides greater standardization. The HSV assays may be run with serum or plasma samples. The ELISA assays utilize break-away antigen-coated reagent wells for maximum kit utilization. Reagents are supplied as ready to use and are color-coded. A three-point calibration is used in the assay. The EUROLINE Western Blot assay has an electrophoretically separated SDS whole-antigen extract from HSV-1-infected cells, which is immobilized on membrane strips. In addition, each strip contains a membrane chip with a printed line of the HSV-2-specific glycoprotein G2, which has been purified by affinity chromotography. Euroimmun’s system EUROLineScan provides computer-based evaluation of the test strips and electronic archiving of the data. The test is pending FDA clearance.

Euroimmun US
(800) 913-2022; www.euroimmun.de

Color Image Analysis
For AST and ID

The BIOMIC V3 microbiology system includes touch-screen technology to instantly read and interpret antibiotic disk (Kirby Bauer) testing with 2006 CLSI guidelines built in to its Expert System. BIOMIC V3 also reads commercial bacteria and yeast identification (ID) panels, including RapID™ (Remel), API® (bioMérieux), Crystal™ (BD), and CHROMagar™ (BD). BIOMIC V3’s color image analysis improves consistency, accuracy, and speed of reading, eliminating personal interpretation and transcription errors. An extensive system based on the human and animal 2006 CLSI guidelines detects the most complex bacterial and fungal resistance. BIOMIC V3 serves as a primary or complementary AST-ID system for microbiology laboratories of all sizes and setups. Rapid-batch entry mode enables up to six Kirby Bauer plates and ID panels to be read per minute with a two-way LIS interface and worklist download. BIOMIC V3 includes several epidemiology and QC-reporting options, and media and disk logs. Users have the flexibility to change test drugs to match changing formulary and physician needs with its user-friendly software. BIOMIC V3 connects to a standard Windows®-based PC and requires no routine maintenance or service.

Giles Scientific Inc
(800) 603-9290; www.biomic.com