BACKGROUND: Routine diagnostic laboratories are confronted with an ever-increasing workload with limited resources. Automation has provided some solutions to these challenges particularly high through put analysers such as the Abbott AxSYM. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the performance of two automated immunoassay systems in a diagnostic virology laboratory. Samples previously tested using the Abbott AxSYM were tested with a recently introduced immunoassay analyser, the Bayer ADVIA Centaur, for six virology analytes: HBsAg, anti-HBc total, anti-HBc IgM, anti-HBs, anti-HCV and anti-HIV1/O/2. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a retrospective analysis of stored serum samples previously tested on the Abbott AxSYM. Samples giving discrepant results were tested by other alternative immunoassays and re-tested on the Abbott AxSYM in the same freeze-thaw cycle. RESULTS: Although the sensitivities of the two automated immunoassays were similar there was improved specificity demonstrated for anti-HIV and anti-HCV when using the ADVIA Centaur assays. The low background signals allowed resolution of samples previously shown to have indeterminate results for anti-HIV antibody in the AxSYM assay. In addition, samples shown to have Abbott AxSYM anti-HCV results that could not be confirmed by RIBA and HCV molecular methods were shown to be negative by the ADVIA Centaur assay.
BACKGROUND: Routine diagnostic laboratories are confronted with an ever-increasing workload with limited resources. Automation has provided some solutions to these challenges particularly high through put analysers such as the Abbott AxSYM. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the performance of two automated immunoassay systems in a diagnostic virology laboratory. Samples previously tested using the Abbott AxSYM were tested with a recently introduced immunoassay analyser, the Bayer ADVIA Centaur, for six virology analytes: HBsAg, anti-HBc total, anti-HBc IgM, anti-HBs, anti-HCV and anti-HIV1/O/2. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a retrospective analysis of stored serum samples previously tested on the Abbott AxSYM. Samples giving discrepant results were tested by other alternative immunoassays and re-tested on the Abbott AxSYM in the same freeze-thaw cycle. RESULTS: Although the sensitivities of the two automated immunoassays were similar there was improved specificity demonstrated for anti-HIV and anti-HCV when using the ADVIA Centaur assays. The low background signals allowed resolution of samples previously shown to have indeterminate results for anti-HIV antibody in the AxSYM assay. In addition, samples shown to have Abbott AxSYM anti-HCV results that could not be confirmed by RIBA and HCV molecular methods were shown to be negative by the ADVIA Centaur assay.
Authors: Jeannette M Watterson; Paulina Stallcup; David Escamilla; Patrick Chernay; Alfred Reyes; Sylvia C Trevino Journal: J Clin Lab Anal Date: 2007 Impact factor: 2.352
Authors: Barbara S Taylor; Joshua T Hanson; Poornachand Veerapaneni; Roberto Villarreal; Kristin Fiebelkorn; Barbara J Turner Journal: Public Health Rep Date: 2016 May-Jun Impact factor: 2.792