Calprotectin, from the very beginning…
Amanda Appleton, Senior Product Manager, Alpha Laboratories Ltd., caught up with Dr Arne Roseth, a pioneer in the adoption of…
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In 2013 NICE published the DG11 guidance supporting the use of calprotectin as a cost-effective method to differentiate between IBD and IBS. Since that time, the level of testing within laboratories has increased significantly and BÜHLMANN has expanded its product portfolio to assist with evolving hospital requirements. BÜHLMANN offers the widest range of calprotectin assays, all standardised together to help support testing across the healthcare network.
With the implementation of NHS Improvement Pathology Networking, many trusts are now operating on a hub and spoke model with locations taking responsibility for specific tests within the trust. This can save costs, but potentially could also result in a reduced service in the spoke settings.
Placing a Quantum Blue reader in spoke settings enables for single tests to be performed when there a requirement for a rapid result to help support clinical decision making and giving a result that will correlate with the other BÜHLMANN assays, be that the fCAL® turbo, fCAL® ELISA or the IBDoc®.
It is simple to use in a laboratory setting.
- Based on established lateral flow technology
- Quantitative measurement of Calprotectin in faecal samples
- Results in 12 minutes
- Excellent correlation with other BÜHLMANN Calprotectin assays
- Simple, rapid extraction and test process
- Unilateral connectivity to LIMs via dedicated middleware
- Compact benchtop reader with touch screen or optional barcode data entry
- Results directly printable or downloadable to USB
- Quantum Blue® fCAL Extended Range (LF-CALE25) – measurable range 30-1000µg/g for diagnosis and monitoring purposes
The excellent correlation to the more automated laboratory methods enables the Quantum Blue to support the pathology consolidation ‘hub & spoke’ model. The main hub lab may be running the fCAL ELISA or the fCAL turbo method, but the spoke settings can have a Quantum Blue reader for testing urgent samples supporting the calprotectin service across the healthcare network.
Correlation Across the Healthcare Network:
Correlation of the Quantum Blue Calprotectin Test and the BÜHLMANN fCAL ELISA:
Correlation of the Quantum Blue Calprotectin Test and the BÜHLMANN fCAL turbo:
Buy Online
| Quantum Blue Calprotectin Product Information | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | Quantum Blue® fCAL Extended | Quantum Blue™ Reader III | Quantum Blue™ Reader II | |
| Time to result | 12 min (approx.) | – | – | |
| Sample Type | Faeces | Faeces | Faeces | |
| Standard Range | 30-1000 µg/g | – | – | |
| Sensitivity | <30 µg/g | – | – | |
| Controls (Included) | 0.5ml each (High/low) | – | – | |
| Pack Size | 25 Tests | 1 | 1 | |
| Product Code | LF-CALE25 | BI-POCTR-ABS3 | BI-POCTR-ABS | |
Applications
Quantum Blue® fCAL provides the perfect solution when calprotecin test requests are low. It utilises a highly specific monoclonal antibody in a cassette based lateral flow assay that is read on a small bench top instrument.
The extended range kit (LF-CALE25) (30-1000µg/g) for use with Quantum Blue Two second generation instruments and above (Serial no. >1000) enables diagnosis and monitoring within a single test format to simplify procedures and improve stock management.
Four Easy Steps to a Quantitative Result with Quantum Blue® fCAL
1. The Quantum Blue® Calprotectin assays are fully compatible with the BÜHLMANN stool extraction device CALEX® Cap.
2. A defined amount of stool extract is loaded onto the sample loading port of the test cassette.
3. Immediately after loading, the timer is started which controls the incubation time and reads the casette automatically.
4. At the end, the test result is displayed in µg/g. The Quantum Blue® Reader is ready for the next sample.
Benefits
When testing volumes are low or a rapid indication of the calprotectin level is required, the Quantum Blue makes an excellent solution:
- Can be used in spoke settings to support clinical decision making when a rapid result is required
- Can be used to help triage endoscopy lists
The Quantum Blue reader is also an ideal solution for private gastroenterology clinics enabling discussions to take place on an appropriate investigative or treatment pathways immediately (IBS or IBD), alleviating anxiety and meeting patient expectations of immediate results from private consultation.
- Simple rapid extraction and test process
- Quantitative results within 12 minutes
- Excellent correlation with the BÜHLMANN Calprotectin fCAL ELISA and the fCAL turbo
- No need for batch testing – cassettes are individually packaged
- New QB III reader has touch screen data input and can be linked to the LIMs system so that results can go into the electronic patient record
Quantum Blue is also available for faecal pancreatic elastase and therapeutic drug and antibody monitoring for infliximab and adalimumab.
Case Studies
Investigating Gastrointestinal Disease in Gorillas
Bristol Zoo Gardens is a conservation and education charity founded by Henry Riley, a local physician and is the fifth…
From BÜHLMANN Quantum Blue® to fCAL® turbo
Follow the Evolution of Calprotectin Testing at James Cook University Hospital This interview with Mr Andrew Teggert, Clinical Scientist, James Cook University…
The Pitfalls of Diagnosing IBS without Checking Calprotectin
In this case study, Arne Roseth reflects on a case last year where he met a patient who’d been wrongly…
Videos
Quantum Blue® 3rd Generation Reader
Posters
Home smart-phone based measurement of fecal calprotectin by IBD patients: correlation with laboratory assay and applicability as patient-friendly monitoring tool
Despite some numeric quantitative divergence, the results of the home fecal calprotectin test (IBDoc) correlate well with values-ranges obtained using conventional lab-based calprotectin test. Smart-phone based fecal calprotectin test may be a useful patient-friendly tool for monitoring of IBD patients at home, with minimal interference to their routine.
Ungar et al. (2017) ECCO European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation. Poster P181Fecal calprotectin is elevated with clinical disease activity during pregnancy in women with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Women with IBD who had clinically active disease during preconception and pregnancy had higher fecal calprotectin levels than women who had clinically inactive disease. Fecal calprotectin has the potential to be used as a biomarker for assessing disease activity during pregnancy in women with IBD.
Huang et al (2015) ECCO European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation. Poster P279Publications
