Immunology

 

Alpha supplies a comprehensive range of quality products to serve the immunology market.

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Automation ANA Testing ENA Testing dsDNA Testing
ANCA Testing Anti-phospholipid Testing Rheumatoid Factor Testing Coeliac Disease Testing
Quality Control & Training      

 

Automation

AFT2000 - Automated IFA Slide PreparationAFT2000 Automated IFA Slide Preparation System

The AFT2000 is a tried, tested and highly successful automated processor for Indirect Immunofluorescent (IIF) slide staining.
Designed to enhance slide staining quality and improve laboratory workflow whilst removing the drudgery of diluting samples, adding reagents, washing and incubating slides.

The AFT2000 (now with stay-clear hood) perfoms all assay procedures:

  • Sample dilution & pipetting
  • Slide washing
  • Reagent addition
  • Timed incubations
User Friendly Software:
  • Windows XP Operating System
  • Each assay is individually programmed, enabling the user to develop protocols ideally suited to their requirements
  • Wash protocols are specific to each assay and can therefore be optimised for each slide format to ensure very low levels of background staining
  • Different slide formats can easily be defined using the AFT2000's virtual joystick,which gives the user direct control over the arm
Ease of Use:
  • To process samples the user defines a work list stating which assays are to be performed on which samples
  • The user then chooses the required work list. The AFT2000 prompts the user to load reagents, slides and samples in the correct locations before starting the process.
  • A graphical interface provides the operator with information on the progress of the run

AFT2000 IFA Slide Preparation

Flexibility:
  • Processes up to 4 different IFA tests simultaneously
  • Combines single and serial dilutions in one run
  • Performs screens and titrations on the same slide
Reliability:
  • The AFT2000 is based on reliable and well-proven technology incorporated into over a thousand systems worldwide. This robust design and flexible software ensures that this processor will remain a dependable workhorse
AFT2000 - Click to view ordering information
Product Code Description Pack Size Price Add to Cart
9972/001 AFT Automated Fast Track IFA System without Hood 1    
9963/005 AFT Automated Fast Track IFA System with Hood 1    

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Antinuclear Antibody (ANA Testing

Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) is a general term used to describe autoantibodies against various cell nuclear proteins (including histones, SSA/Ro, SSB/La, Sm and Scl-70). There exists a high correlation between a positive ANA and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), hence a negative ANA essentially can be used as a rule out for this disease. A number of other connective tissue deseases including progressive systemic sclerosis, mixed connective tissue disease, Sjögrens syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis are associated with a positive ANA result.

An introduction to HEp-2000® and HEp-2

Alpha offers a total range of HEp-s and genetically engineered HEp-2000 slides with a fluorescent end-point for antinuclear antigen (ANA) testing. In addition, we can also offer a chromogenic end-point system for HEp-2 and HEp-2000 called Colorzyme® - please enquire for information relating to this product.

Slides are available in a wide range of formats to suit throughput and budget.

  Fluorescent HEp-2000® ANA Fluorescent HEp-2 ANA
Cell line
 Genetically engineered HEp-2 cell line HEp-2 cell line

Special feature

 

 Increased sensitivity to SSA/Ro autoantibodies. Ability to identify SSA/Ro by special staining pattern  
  Fluorescent HEp-2000 ANA Fluorescent HEp 2 ANA

Read more about HEp-2000 Slides:

Several independent studies have been publised worldwide which shows that the HEp-2000® ANA substrate has increased sensitivity to SSA/Ro autoantibodies when used in place of standard HEp-2 cells at the routine screening test:

 

Kidd K, Cusi, K Mueller, R., Goodner M., Boyes, B and Hoy, E. Detection and identification of Significant ANAs in Previously Determined ANA Negative Samples. 2005 Clin. Lab. 51:517-521.

 

Bossuyt, X., Fran, J., Hendirckx, A., Godefridis, G., Westhovens, R and Mariën, G. Detection of Anti-SSA Antibodies by Indirect Immunofluorescence. 2004. Clin. Chem. 50(12):2361-2369.

 

Tozzoli, R., Bizzaro, N., Tonutti, E., Villalta, D Bassetti, A., Manoni, F., Piazza, A., Pradella, M. and Rizzotti, P. Guidelines for the Laboratory Use of Autoantibody Tests in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases 2002 AM. J. Clin. Pathol. 117:316-324

 

Kavanaugh, A., Tomar, R., Reveille, J., Solomon, D.H., and Homburger, H. A. Guidelines for Clinical Use of the Antinuclear Antibody test and Tests for Specific Autoantibodies to Nuclear Antigens. 200 Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. 124:71-81.

 

HEp2000® Slides (IFA):

The patented HEp-2000 cell has been genetically modified to hyperexpress the native 60kD SSA/Ro antigen which increases its sensitivity to SSA/Ro autoantibodies. The cell maintains typical staining patterns for all other antigens. Where SSA/Ro autoantibodies are present 10-15% of the HEp2000 cells fluoresce strongly, providing a very recognisable pattern.

Fluorescent HEp-2000 ANA

  • Enhanced detection of SSA/Ro autoantibodiesFluorescent HEp-2000 ANA
  • Abundent easy-to-read mitotic cells
  • Includes a positive SSA/Ro control as recommended n NCCLS document I/LA2-A, i/Quality Assurance for the Indirect Immunofluorescence Test for Autoantibodies to Nuclear Antigen (IF-ANA). Approved Guideline IA
  • Titratable control referenced to the WHO
    standard 66/233 for ANA
  • Clear pattern identification
  • Positive pattern controls for:
    homogeneous
    centromere
    SSA/Ro
    speckled
    nucleolar
Fluorescent HEp-2000 ANA
Product Code Description Pack Size Price Add to Cart
2040-RO HEp-2000 ANA 10 x 7 wells    
2100-RO HEp-2000 ANA 10 x 13 wells    
2200-RO HEp-2000 ANA 20 x 13 wells    
2200-14-RO HEp-2000 ANA 20 x 14 wells    
2000-RO HEp-2000 ANA 100 x 13 wells    
2000-14-RO HEp-2000 ANA 100 x 14 wells    
2000-18-RO HEp-2000 ANA 100 x 18 wells    

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Fluorescent HEp-2000 with IgG Specific Conjugate

  • Kit contains SSA positive control and negative control
  • IgG Specific conjugate produced a 'brighter' fluorescence
    for easier pattern differentitation

 

Fluorescent HEp-2000 with IgG Specific Conjugate
Product Code Description Pack Size Price Add to Cart
2140G-RO HEp-2000 Fluorescent IgG Gamma 20 x 7 well    
2280G-RO HEp-2000 Fluorescent IgG Gamma 20 x 14 well    

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HEp-2 Slides (IFA)HEp-2 Slides (IFA)

Widely used in Clinical Immunology, Alpha Laboratories supplies quality HEp-2 slides manufactured with low batch to batch ariation and positve pattern controls.

  • Abundant easy-to-read mitotic cells
  • Very low levels of batch-to batch variation
  • Clear pattern identification
  • Positive pattern controls for:
    homogeneous
    centromere
    speckled
    nucleolar
  • Titratable control referenced to the WHO
    standard 66/233 for ANA
HEp-2
Product Code Description Pack Size Price Add to Cart
2040 HEp-2 ANA 10 x 7 wells    
2100 HEp-2 ANA 10 x 13 wells    
2200 HEp-2 ANA 20 x 13 wells    
2200-14 HEp-2 ANA 20 x 14 wells    
2000 HEp-2 ANA 100 x 13 wells    
2000-14 HEp-2 ANA 100 x 14 wells    

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ANA Controls

An expanded range of 16 common and rarer controls for quality assurance or training purposes. Control Serum set includes one vial each of homogeneous
speckled, nucleolar centromere and negative controls.

  • Suitable for use with HEp-2000® and HEp-2 kits
  • 16 different control sets
  • Supplied pre-diluted in ready-to-use dropper bottles

 

ANA
Product Code Description Pack Size Price Add to Cart
2021 Homogeneous contol 1 x 5ml    
2022 Speckled control 2 x 1ml    
2023 Nucleolar control 2 x 1ml    
2025 Centromere control 2 x 1ml    
2026 Titratable control 1 x 1ml    
2027 Mitochondrial control 1 x 0.5ml    
2029 Golgi control 1 x 0.5ml    
2031 Negative control 1 x 5ml    
2032 Control serum set (homogeneous, speckled, centromere, nucleolar, negative) 5 x 1ml    
2035 SSA control 1 x 0.5ml    
2037 PCNA/ Cyclin control 1 x 0.5ml    
2041 Sci-70 control 1 x 0.5ml    
Miscellaneous Reagents/Consumables
Product Code Description Pack Size Price Add to Cart
SA1012 PBS Buffer Powder 20 vials    
500 Serum Diluent for ANA 2 x 500ml    
1000 Serum Diluent for ANA 4 x 500ml    
1105 Evans Blue for Counterstain 4 x 5ml    
1111 Mounting Medium 4 x 5ml    

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Relisa® ANA Screen

Stabilised nuclear antigens (dsDNA, histones, SSA/Ro, SS-B/La, Sm, Sm/RNP, Scl-70, Jo-1 centromere) and other antigens
extracted from the HEp-2 nucleus are coated onto the surface of the micro-well to provide improved correlation with IFA testing.

  • Liquid ready-to-use reagents
  • Total assay time of 65 minutes
  • 1:40 dilution can be used for follow-up IFA testing

 

Relisa ANA Screen
Product Code Description Pack Size Price Add to Cart
7096-11 RELISA ANA screening 96 well    
7696-11 RELISA ANA screening 576 well    

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Extractable Nuclear Antigen (ENA) Testing

Antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) have been associatedRheumatoid Arthritis with several autoimmune syndromes, such as systemic sclerosis, mixed connective tissue disease, Sjõgrens syndrome, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Sera from over 2,000 patients with rheumatic disease and 1,000 normal individuals were ested during the development of the RELISA ENA Test System. The results were compared to reference methods such as Ouchterlony immunodiffusion, counter-immunoelectrophoresis, other ELISA methods and Western blotting. To verify the clinical utility of the assay, the laboratory results were also compared to the clinical history and diagnosis of the patient.

RELISA® ENA Single Well Screening Kit

The RELISA RNA Single Well Screening Kit is designed as a screening tool to identify if a patient sample contains antibodies to ENAs. If a sample is positive with this system, a confirmatory test is performed using the RELISA ENA Multiparameter Kit.

  • Affinity purified native mammalian antigens
  • Test strips are supplied in individual pouches to provide kit stabiltiy
  • Liquid stable, ready-to-use reagents
  • Total assay time of 65 minutes.

 

Technical Information:
Each micro titre well is coated with Sm, RNP, SSA, SS-B, Scl-70 and Jo-1 autoantigens
Relisa ENA Single Well Screening Kit
Product Code Description Pack Size Price Add to Cart
7096-10 RELISA ENA Single Well Screen 96 well    
7696-10 RELISA ENA Single Well Screen 576 well    

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RELISA® ENA Multiparameter KitRELISA ENA Multiparameter Kit

If a patient sample tests positive for antibodies to ENAs in the screening kit, the RELISA ENA Multiparameter Kit is used o confirm and identify which of the most common ENA antibodies are present.

  • Affinity purified native mammalian antigens
  • Test strips are supplied in individual pouches
    to provide kit stability
Technical Information:
Each 8-well strip contains 6 micro titre wells coated with 6 of the most common auto antigens - Sm,RNP, SSA, SS-B, Scl-70 and Jo-1. The remaining two wells feature a unique quality control system. A negative or blank well and a RELISA Procedure Check (RPC) or positive control is included in each strip
Antibodies to: Disease Association
Sm Highly specific marker antibody seen in 25-30% of SLE patients
U1-RNP Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) >95%; SLE 35%; lower frequency in discoid lupus or progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS)
SSA/Ro Sjõgrens syndrome 60-70%; SLE 50%
SS-B/La Sjõgrens syndrome 40-50%; SLE 15%
Sci-70 Highly specific marker antibody seen in 15-20% of PSS patients
Jo-1 Highly specific marker antibody seen in 25-30% of patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis
Relisa ENA Multiparameter Kit
Product Code Description Pack Size Price Add to Cart
7096-09 RELISA ENA Multiparameter Kit 12 x 8 wells    
7696-09 RELISA ENA Multiparameter Kit 72 x 8 wells    

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Auto-ID® Ouchterlony System

The Auto ID system, utilises the Ouchterlony immunodiffusion technique and a universal antigen which contains Sm, RNP, SSA, SS-B, Scl-70, PCNA and Jo-1 autoantigens.

Cost-effective method for the identification of auto-antibodies to 7 different ENAs

All controls can be used with any of the Auto ID test kits

Kits come complete with universal antigen, agarose plates and positive controls

Technical Information:
Nuclear antigen is placed in a central well of an agarose plate with control sera and patient serum samples placed in the surrounding six sample wells. After incubation at room temperature, a line of precipitation forms in the agarose gel were nuclear antigen diffuses and meets homologous antibody. Sera are tested for antigen/antibody specificity by viewing precipitation lines of identity or partial identity between patient samples and control sera. Sera that do not produce precipitation lines are considered negative.
Auto-ID Ouchterlony System
Product Code Description Pack Size Price Add to Cart
6060 Auto ID Sm/RNP kit 12 plates    
6070 Auto ID Sm/RNP kit & SSA/SS-B kit 12 plates    
7030 Auto ID SSA/SS-B kit 6 plates    
7010 Auto ID plates 10 plates    
6001 Auto ID RNP control 1 x 0.5ml    
6002 Auto ID/RNP control 1 x 0.5ml    
6004 Auto ID Jo-1 control 1 x 0.5ml    
6005 Auto ID Scl-70 control 1 x 0.5ml    
6006 Auto ID PCNA control 1 x 0.5ml    
6050 Auto ID Universal antigen 1 x 0.2ml    
7001 Auto ID SSA control 1 x 0.5ml    
7002 Auto ID SSA/SS-B control 1 x 0.5ml    
7003 Auto ID SS-B control 1 x 0.5ml    

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dsDNA Testing

Crithidia (nDNA) Test System

nDNA antibodies show a high correlation with active systemic lupus erthematosus (SLE). Slide tests featuring the Crithidia ucilae substrate continue to be the most widely used assay
for nDNA autoantibody testing worldwide.

Crithidia (nDNA) Test System
Product Code Description Pack Size Price Add to Cart
3040 Fluorescent nDNA 10 x 7 wells    
3040G Fluorescent nDNA IgG conjugate 10 x 7 wells    
3200 Fluorescent nDNA 20 x 14 wells    
3200G Fluorescent nDNA IgG conjugate 20 x 14 wells    
3000 Fluorescent nDNA 50 x 7 wells    

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Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA) Testing

c-ANCA on ethanol fixed slideANCA are associated with vasculitic diseases including Wegener's granulomatosis and microscopic polyangitis
as well as diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease. The immunofluorescent technique using human neutrophils is widely accepted as the best method of screening for ANA.

  • Positive, titratable controls for p-ANCA and c-ANCA

  • Moat around wells reduces risk of cross-contamination

Crithidia (nDNA) Test System
Product Code Description Pack Size Price Add to Cart
10070-11 ANCA ethanol fluorescent test kit 10 x 7 wells    
10140-11 ANCA ethanol fluorescent test kit 10 x 14 wells    
10350-11 ANCA ethanol fluorescent test kit 50 x 7 wells    
10700-11 ANCA ethanol fluorescent test kit 50 x 14 wells    
10070-12 ANCA ethanol fluorescent test kit 10 x 7 wells    
10140-12 ANCA ethanol fluorescent test kit 10 x 14 wells    
10700-12 ANCA ethanol fluorescent test kit 50 x 14 wells    

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Anti-phospholipid Testing

RELISA Cardiolipin Test Kits provide maximum flexibility for anti-cardiolipin testing by offering both a screening kit using a polyvalent conjugate and an isotype specific test kit.

RELISA® Cardiolipin Screen

Designed to screen samples for IgG, IgM and IgA anti-cardiolipin antibodies using a polyvalent conjugate.

  • Single-point calibration
  • 65 minute incubation
  • Includes controls
RELISA Cardiolipin Screen
Product Code Description Pack Size Price Add to Cart
7096-01 RELISA Cardiolipin screening 96 well    
7696-01 RELISA Cardiolipin screening 576 well    

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RELISA® Cardiolipin IgG/IgM

This isotype specific Cardiolipin kit is designed to determine the individual concentrations of IgG and IgM anti-Cardiolipin antibodies in patient samples

  • Isotype specific conjugate
  • Isotype specific calibrators and controls
  • Single-point calibration
RELISA Cardiolipin IgG/IgM
Product Code Description Pack Size Price Add to Cart
7096-02 RELISA Cardiolipin IgG/IgM 96 well    
7696-02 RELISA Cardiolipin IgG/IgM 576 well    

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Rhuematoid Factor Testing

Swelling and pain in the jointsRheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic systematic disease of unkown aetiology. It is frequently characterised by swelling and pain in the joints and by inflammatory and degenerative processes involving cartilage, synovial membrane or muscle tissue.

A characteristic of rheumatoid arthiritis is the presence in the blood and in synovial fluid of a reactive group of proteins collectively known as Rheumatoid Factors (RF). RF are found in 70-85% of cases of definite RA depending on the test procedure used to detect them, and is therefore useful in the diagnosis of suspected cases of RA.

Latex Agglutination Tests

Latex agglutination tests are used to detect Rheumatoid Factors (RF) n serum. They have two formats.

Colour-enhanced direct latex test (Rheumacol/lex): polustyrene latex particles are absorbed with human gamma globulin which specifically reacts with RF to cause agglutination of the latex particles.

Colour-enhanced haemagglutination slide test (Rheumacol): sheep erythrocytes are sensitised with rabbit gamma globulin. When a specimen containing RF is mixed with the reagent, a visible agglutination eaction of blue particles will occur in a yellow background. If the specimen is negative for RF, no agglutination or a finely granular pattern will occur with no visible colour change.

Rheumatoid Factor Latex Agglutination Tests
Product Code Description Format Pack Size Price Add to Cart
RHLX-100 Rheumacol/lex Cololur enhanced direct latex 100 tests £52.37   
RHLX-50 Rheumacol/lex Cololur enhanced direct latex 50 tests £34.27   
RH-100 Rheumacol Cololur enhanced red cell test 100 tests £63.95   
RH-50 Rheumacol Cololur enhanced red cell test 50 test £42.21   

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Quality Control and Training

Independent Quality Control Check - FITC-QC SlideFITC Quality Control Slides

The FITC-QC slide is an independent quality control check that provides laboratories with verification that their fluorescence microscopes are functioning appropriately.

This is accomplished by enabling laboratory staff to monitor he level of fluorescence intensity which is being achieved by the optical system of the laboratories' microscope.

Each slide has five different wells of micro beads containing FITC. Each well has a different level of fluorescent ntensity ranging from 4+ to +/- in intensity.

The concentration of FITC in the micro beads is calibrated by flow cytometry. This conforms to the NCCLS-approved guidelines as outlined in document I/LA2-A

FITC-QC Slide
Product Code Description Pack Size Price Add to Cart
1900 FITC-QC slide for microscope quality control 1 each    

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Visions™ Training CD-ROM based Training

Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA) requires all laboratory
staff toVisions Training Certificate be given the opportunity for further education and raining1. In answer to this, Alpha Laboratories is pleased o supply the Visions training program- a self-taught, on-site training programme for anit-nuclear antigens (ANA).

Available on CD-ROM, this training programme covers he basic to advanced information on ANA methodology, patterns, follow-up testing and troubleshooting.

Each series consists of sixty slides, accompanying ext and quizzes on the ANA patterns. Visions II focuses on basic ANA methodology, patterns and follow-up testing. While Visions III looks at HEp-2000®, ANA titering, troubleshooting, ANCA, and cytoplasmic patterns. Visions III is most effective when used in conjunction with Visions II. The CD-ROM combines both series togethern a user-friendly format.

Visions Training CD-ROM Based Training
Product Code Description Pack Size Price Add to Cart
6000-11 Visions II & III - CD-ROM with voice narration & quiz 1 each    

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