Thermo Scientific™ Cryptococcus Antigen Test Kit

Description

• Rapidly detect capsular polysaccharide antigens associated with Cryptococcus neoformans infection using Thermo Scientific™ Remel™ Cryptococcus Antigen Test Kit
• In 1963, Bloomfield reported detection of cryptococcal polysaccharide (CPS) antigens in serum and CSF of patients with cryptococcosis 1
• In further testing, investigators reported false-positive reactions in the serum of patients with rheumatoid factor 2,3
• In 1983, Stockman and Roberts introduced an enzymatic method incorporating protease to eliminate interference factors in serum 4
• Cryptococcosis is a systemic infection caused by the yeast, C
• neoformans 1
• The natural reservoirs for C
• neoformans are soil and avian feces
• Inhalation of yeast cells may lead to a lung infection and possibly disseminated disease
• Patients often present with devastating debilitation, especially those with an immunosuppressive syndrome
• Because C
• neoformans has an unusual affinity for central nervous system tissue, rapid and early detection is essential
• Sensitive test Rapid test: Results are obtained within 5 minutes
• Easy to identify: A positive test is indicated by any agglutination or clumping and clearing of the test latex immediately after 5 mins rotation step, whereas a negative test is indicated by no agglutination or clumping
• Semi-quantitative test: The titer is the reciprocal of the last dilution which produces a positive result (agglutination)
• Cryptococcus Antigen Test Kit incorporates the use of latex particles sensitized with murine (mouse) IgM monoclonal antibodies
• CPS antigen in patient serum or CSF interacts with sensitized latex particles producing visible agglutination
• The use of IgM monoclonal antibodies and treatment of serum with protease reduce the potential for false-positive reactions, eliminating the need to perform a companion control latex test to verify the specificity of results 5-6
• This test has both diagnostic and prognostic value since progressive disease is usually accompanied by increasing antigen titers
• Declining titers are usually associated with clinical improvement, with or without therapy
• Not all products are available for sale in all territories
• Please inquire
• Remel™ and Oxoid™ products are now part of the Thermo Scientific brand.