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Alpha supplies a comprehensive range of quality products to serve the immunology market.
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:
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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.
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.
Special feature
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
Fluorescent HEp-2000 with IgG Specific Conjugate
Widely used in Clinical Immunology, Alpha Laboratories supplies quality HEp-2 slides manufactured with low batch to batch ariation and positve pattern controls.
An expanded range of 16 common and rarer controls for quality assurance or training purposes. Control Serum set includes one vial each of homogeneousspeckled, nucleolar centromere and negative controls.
Stabilised nuclear antigens (dsDNA, histones, SSA/Ro, SS-B/La, Sm, Sm/RNP, Scl-70, Jo-1 centromere) and other antigensextracted from the HEp-2 nucleus are coated onto the surface of the micro-well to provide improved correlation with IFA testing.
Antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) have been associated 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.
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.
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.
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
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 assayfor nDNA autoantibody testing worldwide.
ANCA are associated with vasculitic diseases including Wegener's granulomatosis and microscopic polyangitisas 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
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.
Designed to screen samples for IgG, IgM and IgA anti-cardiolipin antibodies using a polyvalent conjugate.
This isotype specific Cardiolipin kit is designed to determine the individual concentrations of IgG and IgM anti-Cardiolipin antibodies in patient samples
Rheumatoid 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 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.
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
Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA) requires all laboratory staff to 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.