Extensive range of allergy assays now available include honeybee, wasp and hornet venoms, plus tests and mixes for the grass, tree and weed allergens most commonly responsible for reactions
As summer approaches, use of Bayer's Advia Centaur immunoassay system to automate the process of in vitro allergy testing is helping clinical laboratories to meet the usual seasonal increase in test requests.
The extensive range of allergy assays now available for the system includes honeybee, wasp and hornet venoms, plus individual tests and mixes for all the grass, tree and weed allergens most commonly responsible for allergic reactions in the spring and summer months.
All these assays have been co-developed with the leading Danish allergy immunotherapy and in vitro test manufacturer, ALK-Abello.
The incidence of allergy has increased two- to three-fold over the past 20 years, with approximately one quarter of the population in the industrialised world now estimated to suffer from some form of the condition.
Allergic response to insect venoms can range from severe local skin reactions to exhaustion, dizziness, hypotension, swelling of the throat and anaphylaxis which may result in death.
Grass, tree and weed pollens are commonly associated with allergic respiratory symptoms such as hay fever (rhinitis) and asthma.
All the allergy assays available for the Advia Centaur are two-stage tests which are processed on the analyser in 47 minutes, without disruption to overall routine workflow.
All assay steps are carried out automatically on board the system, eliminating the need for manual transfers.
The tests are highly specific, complementing the very sensitive in vivo skin prick tests which are carried out in the doctor's surgery.
Use of the Advia Centaur tests enables clinicians to obtain accurate diagnoses very quickly so that appropriate treatment may be prescribed without delay.
