Immunetics, Inc., used the AABB Annual Meeting to introduce the updated BacTxAnalyzer for use with its BacTx rapid test for bacteria in whole-blood derived and apheresis platelets. Company representatives told conference attendees that the BacTx assay gives hospitals and blood banks a practical tool for assuring the safety of their platelets. The colorimetric assay can detect aerobic, anaerobic, gram-negative, and gram-positive bacteria in a single test. The test is designed to enable testing closer to time of transfusion, to reduce the risk of transfusing contaminated platelets.
The BacTx system utilizes a patented, highly specific, universal bacterial detection reagent that has been shown to detect wild and cultured bacterial strains. The assay meets AABB standard 5.1.5.1.1. It can be used for quality-control testing of leukocyte-reduced apheresis platelets within 24 hours of transfusion, following testing with an FDA-cleared growth-based bacterial detection device, as well as pools of up to six units of leukocyte-reduced whole-blood derived platelets that are pooled within four hours of transfusion.
Features of the updated BacTx Analyzer include barcode scanning; random access testing that allows multiple assays to be run at different times; LED touch screen; passcode and user ID entry; visual confirmation on both the analyzer and touch screen for quality control, tracking, and platelet management; automated tracking of tests, trends, and QC; USB port; and a small footprint. Learn more about the BacTx Rapid Assay System and the BacTX Analyzer.
