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).
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
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
Latest Hematology News
- Advanced CBC-Derived Indices Integrated into Hematology Platforms
- Blood Test Enables Early Detection of Multiple Myeloma Relapse
- Single Assay Enables Rapid HLA and ABO Genotyping for Transplant Matching
- Prognostic Biomarker Identified in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
- Routine Blood Test Parameters Link Anemia to Cancer Risk and Mortality
- Prognostic Tool Guides Personalized Treatment in Rare Blood Cancer
- New Platelet Function Assay Enables Monitoring of Antiplatelet Therapy
- Open Multi-Omics Platform Identifies Prognostic Subtypes in Blood Cancers
- AI-Powered Digital Workflow Standardizes Bone Marrow Aspirate Morphology
- Rapid Cartridge-Based Test Aims to Expand Access to Hemoglobin Disorder Diagnosis
- New Guidelines Aim to Improve AL Amyloidosis Diagnosis
- Automated Hemostasis System Helps Labs of All Sizes Optimize Workflow
- Fast and Easy Test Could Revolutionize Blood Transfusions
- High-Sensitivity Blood Test Improves Assessment of Clotting Risk in Heart Disease Patients
- AI Algorithm Effectively Distinguishes Alpha Thalassemia Subtypes
- MRD Tests Could Predict Survival in Leukemia Patients
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Blood Test Detects Testicular Cancer Missed by Standard Markers
Testicular cancer most often affects adolescents and young adults and is highly treatable when found early. Diagnosis can be difficult when tumors do not produce sufficient levels of standard blood-based... Read more
Routine Blood Tests Identify Biomarkers Linked to PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with a range of chronic physical health conditions and affects multiple organ systems. Clinical laboratories routinely measure blood analytes that reflect... Read moreMolecular Diagnostics
view channel
CRISPR-Based Test Identifies Multiple Respiratory Viruses Simultaneously
Respiratory virus co-circulation complicates differential diagnosis, as overlapping symptoms can obscure etiology. Multiplex testing typically depends on multiple enzymes or fluorophores and multistep... Read more
Multi-Omic Assay Predicts Recurrence and Radiation Benefit in Early Breast Cancer
Early-stage invasive breast cancer is frequently managed with breast-conserving surgery followed by adjuvant radiation therapy, but the magnitude of benefit from radiation varies among patients.... Read more
Portable Test Detects Tuberculosis from Tongue Swabs in 30 Minutes
Despite decades of effective drug regimens, tuberculosis remains the leading cause of death from an infectious disease, driven in part by limited access to accurate, rapid testing. Conventional diagnostics... Read more
Blood Test Receives FDA Breakthrough Status to Differentiate Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
Differentiating schizophrenia from bipolar I disorder in symptomatic patients is challenging because early presentations often overlap. Current diagnostic pathways rely heavily on subjective assessments... Read moreHematology
view channel
Advanced CBC-Derived Indices Integrated into Hematology Platforms
Diatron, a STRATEC brand, has introduced six advanced hematological indices on its Aquila, Aquarius 3, and Abacus 5 hematology analyzers. The new Research Use Only (RUO) indices include Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte... Read more
Blood Test Enables Early Detection of Multiple Myeloma Relapse
Bone marrow biopsies remain central to diagnosing and monitoring multiple myeloma, yet the procedure is painful, invasive, and often repeated over time. Older patients—who represent most new cases—can... Read moreImmunology
view channel
Finger-Prick Lateral Flow Test Detects Sepsis Biomarkers at Point of Care
Sepsis remains a time-critical condition in which rapid risk assessment is often hindered by reliance on centralized laboratory testing. The global burden is substantial, with an estimated 166 million... Read more
Study Highlights Low Sensitivity of Current Lyme Tests in Early Infection
Accurate laboratory diagnosis of early Lyme disease remains challenging because serologic responses may be limited soon after infection. Missed detection at this stage can delay evaluation and management... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
Rapid Antigen Biosensor Detects Active Tuberculosis in One Hour
Tuberculosis remains a major global health challenge and continues to drive significant morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization’s 2024 global report cites it as the leading cause of death... Read more
Oral–Gut Microbiome Signatures Identify Early Gastric Cancer
Early detection of gastric cancer could be advanced by scalable screening strategies using minimally invasive sampling. Saliva collection is noninvasive and cost-effective, supporting wider adoption... Read morePathology
view channel
New Tissue Mapping Approach Identifies High-Risk Form of Diabetic Kidney Disease
Diabetic kidney disease is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease, affecting 20%–40% of people with diabetes and more than 107 million individuals worldwide as of 2021.... Read more







