GBS Detect

Detects nonhemolytic Group B Strep

The new GBS Detect™ culture media, from Hardy Diagnostics, Santa Maria, Calif, is designed to isolate and detect gamma-hemolytic (nonhemolytic) Group B Streptococcus by inducing beta-hemolysis. This novel plated media turns normally nonhemolytic strains of GBS into beta-hemolytic strains. The plates contain special supplements that cause otherwise nonhemolytic strains of GBS to appear as beta-hemolytic, thus increasing the sensitivity of detection methods used to detect GBS colonization in pregnant women.

Hardy Diagnostics
(800) 266-2222
www.hardydiagnostics.com


Blood Grouping Reagents

Full range of reagents through one source

Hemo Bioscience, Durham, NC, has signed an agreement with the American Red Cross to become the exclusive distributor of blood grouping reagents manufactured by the American Red Cross Diagnostic Manufacturing Division (DMD) in North America. The agreement will allow customers to purchase almost a full range of blood grouping reagents through one source. The products included in the agreement are Anti-K, Anti-k, Anti-Kpa, Anti-Kpb, Anti-Fya, Anti-S, Anti-s, and Anti-M. Hemo Bioscience also manufactures and sells a complete line of ABO and Rh reagents and ancillary products used to detect and identify certain properties of the cell and serum components of blood prior to transfusion.

Hemo Bioscience
(866) 332-2825
www.hemobioscience.com


AmpliTrol III

Multianalyte quality control

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc, Hercules, Calif, offers its new 5 mL dropper bottle configuration for AmpliTrol™ III, a liquid-stable, third-party multianalyte quality control. This product is designed for use by nucleic acid testing (NAT) laboratories with qualitative in vitro diagnostic procedures for the detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Type 1 (HIV-1), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) nucleic acids in human serum or plasma. It is a full-process positive control used in the same manner as a patient specimen to monitor sample preparation, amplification, and detection procedures with many commercially available NAT systems. The new configuration has a 60-day open-vial stability when stored at 2–8ºC. Routine use provides laboratories with the means to monitor assay performance and assure quality on an ongoing basis.

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc
(800) 224-6723
www.bio-rad.com


MTB ACE Detection Test

Detects both extrapulmonary and pulmonary TB

The Seeplex MTB ACE detection test, from Seegene, Rockville, Md, uses a single multitarget amplification for specific detection of M. tuberculosis, and is based on the company’s novel DPO™ (Dual Priming Oligonucleotides) PCR technology. IS6110 is the most widely used target gene for detecting M. tuberculosis. However, several M. tuberculosis strains lack the insertion sequence IS6110. By simultaneously amplifying IS6110 and MPB64, the test is able to identify infections that would otherwise go undiagnosed in a procedure that produces no false-positive and false-negative results. The test can detect both extrapulmonary and pulmonary TB from various specimens, such as sputum, body fluid, bronchial washing, urine, stool, CSF, and bone marrow aspiration.

Seegene
(301) 762-9066
www.seegene.com


Monoclonal Antibodies

Detect all O-serogroups tested

ViroStat, Inc, Portland, Me, releases six new monoclonal antibodies to Salmonella. These pan-Salmonella antibodies detect all O-serogroups tested. They do not cross react with related species including E. coli, Shigella, Citrobacter, or Klebsiella, among others. The antibodies recognize the common core region of Salmonella LPS. Applications include ELISA, IFA, and lateral flow immunoassay. Pairing recommendations are also available. A downloadable data sheet for the antibodies is available on the company’s Web site.

ViroStat Inc
(207) 856-6620
www.virostat-inc.com


G-CAPSULE

Rapid electroelution of nucleic acids and proteins

G-CAPSULE™, from G-Biosciences, St Louis, is a simple electroelution device that excises DNA or protein bands from agarose and polyacrylamide gels and elutes samples in a final volume of ~30 µL. Electroelution through the device is a gentle method that eliminates the risks of damage to DNA or protein samples commonly encountered in the use of glass milk, spin columns, binding columns, and other popular techniques. The method is simple to perform and eliminates additional steps involving washing, spinning, heating, or precipitation. The device contains two parts: G-Pick™ and G-Trap™. The user simply picks up the protein or nucleic acid band with the G-Pick and assembles it with the G-Trap. The assembled product can be submerged in electrophoresis buffer on a horizontal electrophoresis system, and the protein or nucleic acid is rapidly eluted into the G-Trap.

G-Biosciences
(314) 991-6034
www.GBiosciences.com


Retic-Chex Linearity

Immediate verification

The Retic-Chex Linearity from Streck, Omaha, Neb, now includes assay values for the new Sysmex XE-5000 hematology analyzer. Designed to verify the accuracy and linear reportable range of the retic parameter, Retic-Chex Linearity’s instrument-specific assay values offer immediate verification without calculations. The product’s 5-day open-vial stability offers customers the flexibility to run the product on more than one instrument. Complete linearity and calibration verification reports are provided at no additional charge, which is useful for demonstrating compliance for CLIA and CAP regulations. The product is also assayed for the Sysmex XE-2100™, XT 2000i™, and the Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics ADVIA® 120/2120.

Streck
(800) 843-0912
www.streck.com


OralStat

Oral fluid drug test

American Bio Medica Corp, Kinderhook, NY, offers the OralStat® drug test, which is capable of detecting drugs of abuse through oral fluids. This new technology provides test results within minutes, with enhanced sensitivity and detection comparable to laboratory-based oral fluids tests, and is offered in a six-panel format, which can simultaneously test for six drugs in each device, including THC (marijuana), cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, phencyclidine, opiates, benzodiazepines, and/or methadone. The product will allow employers to streamline their drug testing programs and quickly identify drug usage.

American Bio Medica Corp
(800) 227-1243
www.abmc.com