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New Weaponry Available in Antimicrobial Resistance Fight: Don’t Send Us Back to the Dark Ages! Part 2

SelectScience
28 Nov 2014
Sonia Nicholas
Managing Editor and Clinical Lead

Editorial article

The European Antibiotics Awareness Day raised international awareness of antimicrobial resistance in Australia, Canada and the USA. Randox Laboratories announced its support for the call for patients and prescribers to ‘resist and desist’ antibiotic use, in an effort to curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Sonia Nicholas, Clinical Diagnostics Editor, spoke to Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director at Randox Laboratories, about the rising use of antibiotics and a new multiplex respiratory assay that could help physicians make improvements to their antibiotic prescriptions.

Read Part 1

SN: Can you tell us more about Randox’s new test for respiratory infections?

PF: The Randox Respiratory Multiplex Array is the most comprehensive screening test for upper and lower respiratory tract infections, simultaneously detecting 22 bacterial and viral pathogens from a single swab, sputum or lavage sample. While other assays can include only commonly circulating pathogens, such as those detected during annual flu seasons, the Randox Respiratory Multiplex Array covers all key infections, regardless of season or symptoms, including common colds, flus and pneumonia. Analysis can be completed from template DNA through PCR to data readout in less than six hours, for rapid and accurate first-time diagnosis.

SN: How is the test carried out and what technology does it utilize?

PF: The Randox Respiratory Multiplex Array utilizes innovative Randox biochip array technology (BAT), a multi-analyte testing platform allowing the simultaneous detection of a wide range of analytes from a single sample. The assay is based on a combination of multiplex PCR and biochip array hybridization. Innovative PCR priming technology permits high discrimination between multiple targets. A unique primer set is designed for each target, which will hybridize to a complementary discrete test region (DTR) on the Randox proprietary biochip array. This combination of Randox priming and spatially organized biochip array technology enables high multiplexing of the assay through chemiluminescence detection.

SN: How easy is it for clinical laboratories to implement this test into everyday practice? Is the test available globally?

PF: Optimized for use with the Randox Evidence Investigator, a compact, semi-automated bench top platform applicable in a wide range of settings, this user-friendly assay can run 54 samples simultaneously in six hours. The straightforward testing procedure, ready-to-use biochips and minimal sample handling all enables the assay to be easily adopted into routine testing within the clinical or molecular laboratory. The Evidence Investigator dedicated software package also provides easy to interpret results, reducing time spent on data analysis and interpretation for faster reporting.

The Randox Respiratory Multiplex Array is CE marked for routine clinical use. FDA approval is pending.

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MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.HematologyIn Haematology / Hematology, complete blood cell counts (or full blood counts) are obtained using automated blood count analyzers to enumerate blood cell types.  Hematology also encompasses haemostasis and coagulation, thrombophilia and hemophilia, plasma viscosity and ESR analysis, hemoglobinopathies, cell morphology and haematinic measurement.ImmunologyImmunological techniques measure and characterize immune responses. Immunology kits and analysis systems often use techniques such as ELISA, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunodiffusion assays, Immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Immunologists use equipment such as flow Cytometers, plate readers, plate washers and fluorescent microscopes.Point-of-CarePoint-of-Care Testing (POCT) or Near Patient Testing (NPT) products are available for urine, blood and other clinical chemistry analyses. POCT includes: blood glucose testing, blood gas and electrolytes analysis, rapid coagulation testing (PT / INR), rapid cardiac markers diagnostics, drugs of abuse screening, urine strips testing, pregnancy testing, fecal occult blood analysis, food pathogens screening, hemoglobin diagnostics, infectious disease testing and cholesterol screening.Clinical ChemistryBiochemistry (or clinical chemistry) involves the analysis of bodily fluids using chemical tests. Techniques used include HPLC, chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, immunochemical, electrophoresis, turbidometric / spectrophotometric assay, MRI and ISE analysis. Tests are often carried out on plasma or serum but urine (urinalysis) and fecal specimens are also processed.Clinical GeneticsMolecular Genetics covers the analysis of hereditary genetic disease and chromosomal abnormalities. Genetics can be analysed using DNA, RNA, and protein microarrays, PCR, RT PCR and DNA sequencing. Genetic equipment includes genetic workstations, thermal cyclers, cooling blocks and electrophoresis products. Diagnostic kits are used for DNA / RNA extraction and purification.Clinical MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Respiratory InfectionsRespiratory infections are caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, leading to diseases like pneumonia, tuberculosis, and COVID-19. It is important to identify respiratory infections quickly in patients to ensure appropriate treatment and care, and to prevent sepsis. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best tools for respiratory infection detection, compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.

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New Weaponry Available in Antimicrobial Resistance Fight: Don’t Send Us Back to the Dark Ages! Part 2