We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Rapid Automated Immunoassay for HTLV I/II Antibodies Now Available

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 05 Aug 2015
Image: The Elecsys benchtop analyzer was designed for small to medium workloads (Photo courtesy of Roche).
Image: The Elecsys benchtop analyzer was designed for small to medium workloads (Photo courtesy of Roche).
An automated immunoassay for the detection of antibodies against human T-lymphotropic virus I or II (HTLV-I/II) in donated blood and routine diagnostic samples and is now available for use by blood centers and clinical laboratories.

The Roche (Basel, Switzerland) HTLV-I/II immunoassay was designed for use on the Elecsys benchtop analyzer. This IVD instrument is powered by enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) technology, which provides precise and reliable patient results that contribute to better patient care.

The Elecys instrument uses two electrochemically active substances, a ruthenium complex and tripropylamine (TPA). These reagents are involved in the reaction that leads to the emission of light. Ruthenium and TPA are non-isotopic and highly stable at base state. Only when voltage is applied and the labeled compound is repeatedly excited do the reactants begin emitting photons. To start the reaction, voltage is applied between the working and counter electrode, and an electrical field is created, ensuring a precisely controlled and timed reaction.

The operation is performed on a solution containing sample and reagents that are aspirated into the measuring cell. A magnetic field is applied, and the paramagnetic beads (coated with antigen/antibody complexes bound by streptavidin-biotin) are bound to the surface of the measuring cell. ProCell solution is introduced in order to separate the bound immunoassay complexes from the free remaining particles and to provide TPA, which is essential for the ECL-reaction. The test procedure requires about 18 minutes to run a single test.

“Globally there are around 20 million people infected with HTLV-I/II, many of whom are unknown carriers. If the virus is undetected in donors, the risk of spreading the infection increases,” said Roland Diggelmann, COO of the Roche Diagnostics Division. “Roche is uniquely positioned to help blood centers improve their testing efficiency, based on our broad assay portfolio and integrated molecular and serology laboratory solutions.”

Related Links:
Roche

Gold Member
Automatic Hematology Analyzer
DH-800 Series
Collection and Transport System
PurSafe Plus®
Pipette
Accumax Smart Series
Capillary Blood Collection Tube
IMPROMINI M3

Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: A schematic illustrating the coagulation cascade in vitro (Photo courtesy of Harris, N., 2024)

ADLM’s New Coagulation Testing Guidance to Improve Care for Patients on Blood Thinners

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are one of the most common types of blood thinners. Patients take them to prevent a host of complications that could arise from blood clotting, including stroke, deep... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The rapid diagnostic test is being piloted across three UK hospitals (Photo courtesy of Imperial College Healthcare)

15-Minute Blood Test Diagnoses Life-Threatening Infections in Children

Distinguishing minor childhood illnesses from potentially life-threatening infections such as sepsis or meningitis remains a major challenge in emergency care. Traditional tests can take hours, leaving... Read more
GLOBE SCIENTIFIC, LLC