Nosocomial infections
As in so many European countries, nosocomial infections have hit the headlines in Germany over and over again in recent years – as when three premature babies died in a Bremen neonatal clinic in 2011.
Promise for controlling'blood-brain barrier'
Working with mice, Johns Hopkins researchers have shed light on the activity of a protein pair found in cells that form the walls of blood vessels in the brain and retina, experiments that could lead to therapeutic control of the blood-brain barrier and of blood vessel growth in the eye.
News • Pathology
The future of pathology informatics
The Pathology Informatics Summit last October in Chicago showed that fast-moving trends are reshaping how clinical laboratories and pathology groups use information technology, in particular laboratory information systems (LIS), to deliver more value to physicians and patients.
Increased automation speeds up results
Siemens platform provides tracking, biochemistry, haematology, serology and coagulation services in a single automated laboratory solution
EKF Diagnostics launches a new low cost POC HbA1c analyser
EKF Diagnostics, a worldwide manufacturer of point-of-care (POC) in-vitro diagnostic devices, has announced the European launch of its Quo-Lab POC HbA1c analyser.
Frost & Sullivan predicts growth for the infectious disease diagnostics market
The infectious disease diagnostics market is driven by unprecedented outbreaks of infections and rising awareness of people and policy makers towards the vital use of diagnostic tools to control widespread outbreaks.
Curetis and Heraeus Medical collaborate
Curetis AG and Heraeus Medical GmbH have signed a collaboration agreement to jointly develop a novel Unyvero™ cartridge for the detection of pathogens and antibiotic resistances in implant & tissue infections (ITI).
News • New take on AI
Patients with adrenal insufficiency need improved management
The largest ever, worldwide AI patient survey data presented at the 15th Congress of the European NeuroEndocrine Association (ENEA), Vienna, Austria. 87% of secondary AI patients and 60% of primary AI patients reported that their condition affected quality of life.
A new POC test transforms non-healing wound care
The world’s first point-of-care wound test, unveiled last November at the Wounds UK conference, is now used by the National Health Service (NHS) -- and internationally.
Molecular diagnostics
Research in the field is booming thanks to newly arriving methods to identify gene sequences. Scientists are interested in a wide range of issues from disease-relevant variations of human genetic information to the detection of viral genetic material that supports therapies. Several highlights of current research were presented this spring at the 9th International Symposium on Molecular…
Article • Ovarian viability
Checking the biological clock
‘The egg timer test’ is widely used to help determine how long a woman can expect to remain fertile. Lately it has shown even greater potential for clinical use as a biomarker for ovarian viability.
Optimising productivity is now a top priority for today’s clinical laboratories
A fresh approach that opens a step-by-step path to clinical lab automation.
The 2012 American Association of Clinical Chemists convention
During the annual American Association of Clinical Chemists (AAMC) convention and meeting held in July, the giants in the field of medical chemistry, including Siemens, Roche, IL/Werfen, Beckman Coulter, and Abbott, had a huge presence at the trade show, which filled two halls and packed in a hefty crowd. Jacquie Michels reports from Los Angeles, California.
ESPEN 2012
The 34th Congress of the European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism 8-11 September, Barcelona, Spain
Acute myocardial infarction
Could bone marrow cells prolong life? Recruitment of 3,000 patients will begin across the EU later this year for the BAMI (Bone Marrow Cells in Acute Myocardial Infarction) study, which will test whether stem cells taken from bone marrow and administered after a heart attack will prolong life. Mark Nicholls reports
Fatty Blood
Michael Rühl from the University of Greifswald, Working Group on Immunoadsorption and Cardiovascular Technology, describes therapies to tackle familial hypercholesterolemia
Gene Therapy in the EU
For the first time, a EU agency recommends a gene therapy drug for commercial release in Europe. The European Medicine's Agency announced in late July 2012 that its Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommends Glybera for commercial release in the European Union
Siemens launches ‘Aptio’ at AACC 2012
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics launched Aptio™ Automation¹, the company’s next generation laboratory automation platform, at the 2012 AACC and ASCLS Annual Meetings and Clinical Lab Expo in Los Angeles, July 15 – 19 (Booth #1701). Aptio Automation promises to transform laboratory operations by combining Siemens’ industry-leading workflow expertise with peak performance, adaptability and…
A new MRSA test
Alere introduced its new PBP2a test, a rapid, lateralflow assay that detects the PBP2a protein found in MRSA directly from Staphylococcus aureus isolates. It is a costeffective, targeted approach to identifying MRSA, the firm points out. Providing results in five minutes, the assay uses samples from cultures (wound, skin, urine, etc.) and has builtin quality controls on every test strip.
W.A.R. against wound infections
Prevention is better than a fight against an infected wound – but, to avoid a battle you must know your enemy – and the wound’s infection risk level. Unfortunately, there are no generally accepted definitions for those risk levels. Now, the introduction of a new clinical assessment score – named W.A.R. (wound at risk) – which makes standardised classification of ‘risky’ wounds…
System identifies more pathogens and antimicrobial resistances than any other
By integrating all necessary pre-analytical and analytical steps into one solution, the recently CE-marked Unyvero system, which is now commercially available in Europe, provides pathogen identification and antibiotic resistance marker information without needing expert staff and a sophisticated infrastructure, its manufacturer Curetis reports. Of even greater interest is its range of targets.
Sepsis
Along with a call for earlier identification and intervention in sepsis cases, intensive care consultant Dr Ron Daniels also stressed that timely intervention is cost-effective for health systems as it leads to fewer sepsis patients needing treatment in intensive care units (ICU).
Electrical sensors detect MRSA
Scientists in Scotland have developed a new test using a strip with electrical sensors that can show whether wounds or lesions have been infected with bacteria, including MRSA, Mark Nicholls reports. The hand-held test provides rapid results and allows almost immediate detection of bacteria, which means patients can be given more effective drugs much quicker and speed up their recovery.
Side by side to combat MRSA
With complementary portfolios, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and B. Braun have been working together since mid- May to develop a complete one-stop system for the decontamination of MRSA patients
