PREVIOUS PRODUCT NEWS ITEMS

DIAGNOSIS OF WEST NILE FEVER

IMPROVED HAEMOLYSIS TEST FOR LISTERIA IDENTIFICATION

MICROGEN IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE

RAPID RESPIRATORY VIRUS DETECTION

PATHCHECK HYGIENE

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DIAGNOSIS OF WEST NILE FEVER

West Nile Fever is a mosquito borne flaviviral infection transmitted via mosquitoes in Africa , the Middle East , Asia , the United States and some areas of Europe . Mosquitoes feeding on infected birds transmit the virus to humans via their saliva during blood feeding. Once infected the virus can multiply in humans and may cause illness in approximately 20% of cases. The incubation period for infection is 3 – 14 days, whilst symptoms last 3- 6 days. Symptoms include: fever, malaise, headache, nausea and vomiting. Initially IgM antibodies are produced (2 days after onset of illness), followed by IgG antibodies 4 – 5 days after onset. Transmission of the virus via blood transfusion and organ transplant has been reported during the infective stages of the disease. As a result of this all blood banks in the United States have screened donor blood for West Nile virus since 2003. In addition, blood banks will not take donations from people who have fever and headache in the week before they donate blood.

The PANBIO range of West Nile virus Elisa and IFA assays are now available in the United Kingdom through Microgen Bioproducts Ltd. This range includes West Nile Virus IFA Slides (for short sample runs), West Nile Virus IgM Capture EIA (FDA Approved) and Flavivirus Indirect IgG assay.

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IMPROVED HAEMOLYSIS TEST FOR LISTERIA IDENTIFICATION The detection of the haemolytic activity is fundamental to the identification of Listeria species (in particular L. monocytogenes and L. ivanovii ). The Microgen® Listeria ID system uses this test in combination with 11 additional carbohydrate utilization tests (based on ISO standard methods) for the identification of Listeria species. The haemolysin test is simply performed by adding 1 drop of the specially stabilized sheep red blood cells comprising the haemolysin reagent to the last well (well 12) of the Microgen® Listeria ID test panel.

If the organism being identified produces haemolysin, the red blood cells will rapidly be lysed and the cellular contents released into the suspending medium and the contents of the well will appear as a homogeneous red/ brown solution. Alternatively, if the organism being identified does not produce haemolysin, the stabilized red blood cells will remain intact. These cells will settle to the bottom of the microwell forming a distinct red layer with a clear.

The haemolysin test has recently been improved resulting in a significant increase in its sensitivity and greater ease of interpretation.

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MICROGEN IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE

An update of the Microgen Identification System Software is now available. This update includes the following features and has been prepared in response to user feedback. Main Page – this page now displays the Probability and Percentage Probability for each of the suggested identification choices. Previously the Likelihood and Percentage Probability were displayed. This information improves the understanding of the probabilities of the various identification choices and how clearly the choices offered are differentiated from each other. The identification choices are now displayed in descending order of Probability to instantly show the most probable identification.

Identification Comments – these comments are now described in terms of Differentiation rather than the previously used term of Identification. This change has been implemented to emphasise that Differentiation is a different concept from Identification. These comments help to show the degree of differentiation or separation of the identification choices offered for any code number.

Please contact your local Microgen Bioproducts distributor to arrange for your copy. Please quote your original disc number when requesting your update.

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RAPID RESPIRATORY VIRUS DETECTION

Microgen Bioproducts through its recently announced partnership with Diagnostic Hybrids is now able to provide customers in the United Kingdom and Eire with the most sensitive and rapid tissue culture based detection system for the detection and identification of the 7 most common respiratory viruses (Influenza A + B, Parainfluenza 1,2 and 3, RSV and Adenovirus).

MixedCellsTM R-Mix

Ready to use, rapid and sensitive cell culture

MixedCellsTM R-Mix is a ready to use mixed cell monolayer comprising mink lung cells (Mv1Lu) and human Adenocarcinoma cells (A549). These mixed cell monolayers are provided ready prepared in convenient to use shell vials ready for inoculation. This mixed cell cocktail supports the rapid enhanced growth of the 7 most common respiratory viruses (Influenza A + B, Parainfluenza 1,2 and 3, RSV and Adenovirus). No cell maintenance or propagation is required.

These cells may be employed using a number of different testing protocols including:

ALSO AVAILABLE

MixedCellsTM Primary Monkey Kidney – Ready to use tubes of fresh Primary Monkey Kidney Cells for the isolation of Influenza A + B viruses. Guaranteed primary cell lines.

The complete kit contains:

• A multi-virus screening reagent comprising a pool of FITC – labelled monoclonal antibodies for each of the 7 major respiratory viruses.
• Non – immune mouse IgG control for the detection of non-specific fluorescence associated with some patient samples.
• Individual virus – specific monoclonal antibody reagents directed against each of the 7 respiratory viruses.
• PBS/detergent concentrate, sufficient to prepare 1 litre of washing solution.
• pH buffered mounting fluid.
• Pre-fixed, ready to stain antigen control slides (5), each slide containing seven positive wells (one for each virus) and a negative well.

Individual staining reagents (complete with control slides, washing buffer etc) are also available.

The D3 Respiratory Virus Screening and ID Kit and the available components are all FDA Approved and CE Marked.

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PATHCHECK HYGIENE

Microgen Bioproducts have now released for customers in the ASIA – PACIFIC REGION ONLY. The PathchekTM Hygiene, a simple and rapid hygiene monitoring test for all food handling and manufacturing environments.

The PathchekTM Hygiene is a chemical based test based on the detection of protein, a common component of most food types. This test is not targeted specifically at bacteria, as they are largely composed of protein they will make a contribution to any positive result. When cleaning procedures are not effective or have been performed poorly, both food residues and bacteria will be present and will result in a positive reaction.

PathchekTM Hygiene is provided in a simple peel open plastic pouch which contains a pre moistened swab for sampling test surfaces. After sampling, the swab is returned to the pouch and pushed down into the developing reagent. If positive (indicating the presence of food residues and bacteria), a colour reaction (green to blue) will develop within 5 seconds.

Features include:

SIMPLICITY

• No training or equipment required.
• No mixing or preparation of reagents required.
• No laboratory facilities required.

SPEED

• Results within 5 seconds.

SENSITIVITY

• Detects a wide range of food types.
• Detects as low as 0.02mg (20 µg) of protein.

FLEXIBLITY

• Suitable for every food handling and processing situation.

Contact Microgen for details of your nearest local distributor.

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