A new chromogenic assay (HemosIL ThromboPath) is sensitive to major prothrombotic risk factors affecting the protein C pathway. Results of a multicenter study.

The HemosIL ThromboPath assay (Instrumentation Laboratory) is a new chromogenic assay designed to globally evaluate the functionality of the protein C (PC) pathway. It is based on the ability of endogenous APC generated after activation of PC by a snake venom extract (Protac) to reduce the thrombin generation induced by a reagent containing tissue factor. The aim of this multicenter study involving three laboratories was to evaluate the test sensitivity to PC pathway abnormalities by retrospectively testing frozen plasma samples obtained in the different laboratories.

Amplified Immunoassay ELISA-ELCA for Measuring Clostridium botulinum Type E Neurotoxin in Fish Fillets.

The measurement of Clostridium botulinum type E toxin in fish was accomplished using an amplified immunoassay (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-enzyme-linked coagulation assay [ELISA-ELCA]) based on the coagulation cascade. Fresh catfish fillets inoculated with a mixture of spores from five strains of C. botulinum type E were packaged in high barrier film with air, vacuum and modified atmosphere and stored at 4, 8 or 16°C for up to 75 days.