Freephone Orderline0800 387732
A comprehensive range of testing methods as each type of serological test is effective in different stages of the disease. The range has been expanded to include ELISA format. Latex and complement fixation tests effectively detect IgM antibodies which are produced during the early stages of infection. Immunodiffusion tests primarily detect IgG antibodies, which begin to appear 2-6 weeks after infection and remain throughout, and IgA which are generally produced in late chronic infections. Screening suspect cases using both latex and immunodiffusion yields positive results in over 90% of confirmed cases.
This section is divided by testing method and then the wide range of organisms are listed.
Crytococcosis occurs mainly in individuals with impaired immune systems. A simple and rapid latex agglutination test for the qualitative and quantitative detection of the capsular polysaccharide antigens of Crytococcus neoformans in serum and cerebrospinal fluid.
This kit has a 99% sensitivity and specificity on externalquality assurance schemes.
>>back to top
Antibodies in the serum of patients infected with C. immitis will agglutinate the antigen coated latex particles contained in this system. Specimens are usually positive early in the course of primary infection and become negative within the first few months of a chronic infection (e.g. the tests detect primarily antibodies of the IgM class).
Antibodies in the serum of patients infected with Histoplasma capsulatum will agglutinate the antigen coated latex particles contained in this system. Specimens are usually positive early in the course of primary infectin and become negative within the first few months of chronic infection (e.g. the test detects primarily antibodies of the IgM class).
Antibodies in the serum of patients infected with S. schenckii will agglutinate in the antigen coated latex particles contained in this system. Specimens are usually positive early in the course of primary infection and become negative within the first few months of chronic infection.
The complement fixation test remains the 'Gold Standard' in the serodiagnosis of many diseases. The complement fixation reagents listed here are used to test patient's sera for complement fixing antibodies against Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitdis, Coccidiodes immitis and Aspergillus fumigatus. The antigens include both optimally diluted (i.e ready for use) and concentrated (i.e must be diluted to optimum). Positive controls are also available to indicate the system is operating properly. All reagents are standardised against reference reagents, and for use in the 'Laboratory Branch Complement Fixation (LBCF) procedure.
Fungal Immunodiffusion Test System
Used to test patients' sera for precipitating antibodies against antigens of Aspergillussp, Blastomucesdermatitdis,Coccidiodesimmitis, and Histoplasma capsulatum. The presence of precipitating antibodies in a patient specimen indicates active or recent infection.
Candida Antibody System
Immunodiffusion tests are used for the detection of precipitating antibodies(primarily of the IgG and IgA classes) against antigens of C. albicans.The presence of precipitating antibodies indicates active or recent infection.
Exo-Antigen Identification System
Exo-Antigen or immunoidentification of Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomycesdematitidis and Coccidiodes immitis, is a simple, cost-effective method of identifying or confirming the suspected identity of these organisms, even in the absence of typical morphology. A special buffer isprovided which extracts antigens from the hyphal mass, thus increasing the sensitivity of the system.
A comprehensive range of antigen and control serum
A combination of latex and ID to increase the chances of detecting infection when screening. Using this method with suspect cases yielded positive results in over 90% of confirmed cases.
Cleargel is a proprietary gelling agent developed to overcome the inherently opaque appearence of agarose immunodiffusion plates. It is an ultra-clear gel structure for easy visualisation of precipitin bands from most species except rabbit.
Immunodiffusion plates which can be utilised when using sera from rabbits.
This comprehensive range of ELISA kits can eliminate procedural difficulties and labour intensive methods.