Beckman Coulter Diagnostics has entered a partnership with Diazyme Laboratories that allows customers access to a procalcitonin (PCT) assay, an important marker for the detection and management of bacterial infections and sepsis. The high-quality, fully automated PCT assay is available for use with Beckman Coulter AU analysers (models 480, 680 and 5800).
Sepsis begins outside the hospital setting in nearly 80% of patients. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evaluation found seven in 10 patients with sepsis had recently used healthcare services or had chronic diseases requiring frequent medical care. “Fast diagnosis and treatment is critical for patients with sepsis,” said Dr Mike Samoszuk (Beckman Coulter Diagnostics). “Adding PCT to our chemistry menu offers a tool for detecting and managing bacterial infections and sepsis, which should inform the course and prognosis of the disease and facilitate therapeutic decisions. This addition is a result of our commitment to providing disease state management solutions.”
This assay is the first homogenous PCT assay for use on current Beckman Coulter AU model chemistry analysers, eliminating the need for costly dedicated instrumentation. The assay features a latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetric methodology, which uses multiple monoclonal antibodies for enhanced assay sensitivity and specificity.