When dipping  the stick in diluted sample, the level of sample passes beyond the limit indicated by the arrows at the back of the stick. Is there any consequences on the test reactivity?

The red arrow indicates the limit that could not be passed beyond during any incubation.
Depending on the assay tube used routinely in laboratories, it could happen that the limit line indicated on the sticker could be overcome. It cannot give rise to any problems on the result itself, provided the limit indicated by the red arrow on the figure is not passed. The gold conjugate is placed at 2cm from the bottom of the stick. Incubation limit should not exceed 1cm, i.e. the green line indicated on the figure.

What happens when faecal specimen is Highly positive? What about the control line?

When a strong positive is to be detected, almost all conjugates are bound to viruses and remain on the specific antibody (lower line) coated onto the nitrocellulose, giving rise to a strong dark-red signal. As a consequence, quantity of remaining gold conjugate that should come to react with the control reagent (upper line) is not enough to give rise to a visible signal. Thus control line appears too weak or even sometimes is not visible by eyes. Even if the control line is very weak, the test is regarded as valid.

Why does the control line sometimes appear very weak while the test line is positive?

Control line is aimed to ensure that chromatography has been performed up to the top of the strip. It is not related with the result of the diagnostic itself.

Control line may sometimes be "very weak" when the sample is highly positive.
Signal on the control line comes from the remaining conjugate that didn't react with the antigen on the specific live.
More positive will be the specific signal, less positive will be the signal on the control line.

The control line confirms that migration proceeded successfully even if the line is only slightly rose or dark red.

Cuando se introduce una varilla en la muestra diluida, el nivel de la dilución sobrepasa el límite indicado por las flechitas que se encuentran en la parte trasera de la varilla. Puede plantear problema?

Cuando se sumerge una varilla dentro del tampón de dilución para llevar a cabo un test, hay que prestar atención en NO sobrepasar la línea horizontal que se encuentra debajo de las flechitas rojas.
En algunos casos, todo depende de la talla del tubo de ensayo utilizado, puede ocurrir que el límite de esta ínea horizontal sea sobrepasado. No plantea ningún problema para la lectura de los resultados mientras el tampón de dilución no llega a la gran flecha roja del dibujo (es decir debajo del conjugado de particulas de oro). Este conjugado se encuentra colocado a 2 centimetros del borde inferior de la varilla. Hay que tener cuidado en no sumergir la varilla más alla de 1 centimetro, como lo indica la gran flecha verde del dibujo.

Why is stability relatively short after opening?

Indeed the product is stable during at least 15 weeks after first opening. 15 weeks is quite high : that means less than 2 tests per week. Stability is dependant of the storage conditions.
Immunochromatographic test uses nitrocellulosic support which is sensitive to humidity.
That's why we put dessicant in the tube and in the cap.
If the storage is done under dry condition, stability is higher than 15 weeks.
In each case, there is an internal control (upper line). If this internal control appears during the run, that means that the test is running well. We have to give a shelf life, but the test can be used after 15 or 20 weeks. The result will be valid if the control line appears.

Why the kit doesn't contain loop and tube?

The kit doesn't contain the loop and the plastic tube because that material is very common in all labs. In general the labs obtain good price on the plastic disposable.
We want to offer the most competitive price which means that if we had to furnish this material, we would have to take a little margin on it to cover generated administrative costs and price of shipment would be higher.
On the economical point of view it is more interesting for the customer to buy loops and tubes himself.
With the dropper bottle, he doesn't have to use any micropipettes. He just needs one inoculating loops and one 3mL or 5 mL test tube.

How to use correctly Coris BioConcept's kits?

- Always store the strips' tube at the indicated storage temperature (between 4 and 30°C works for all kits)
- Always use gloves to touch the strips
- Always use the provided (Extraction or Dilution) Buffer even if the sample is already diluted (in a transport medium for instance)
- Always be sure that the solution is homogenous before testing
- Always be sure that the solution does not touch directly the gold conjugate (red zone on the strip)
- Always read the results when the stick is wet (between 10 and 15 minutes depending on the test)
- After opening of the tube containing the strips, quality is guaranteed during 15 weeks
- Always close the tube after each use to avoid that strips become wet. Take care to leave the desiccant inside the tube. - If storing the strips' tube at 4°C, always be sure to warm the tube at room temperature before opening.

Which is the difference between "Adeno-Strip" and "40/41 Adeno-Strip". How do you suggest the use of each one.

There are several subgroups for Adenoviruses ranging from A to F. The F group only contains the adenoviruses types 40 and 41 responsible for diarrhoea.
So for a specific identification of enteric problems, it would be better to identify those 40/41 viruses.
The use of the Adeno-Strip or 40/41 Adeno-Strip depends on the routine practices relative to the physician. Some countries prefer to test all groups (using Adeno-Strip) while others are more oriented to testing the F group (using 40/41 Adeno-Strip).
The best way is to check the samples with Combi-Strip which can detect both Rota & Adenovirus group.
If sample is ADENO positive, we suggest to confirm the result with 40/41 Adeno-Strip.

Does the normal Adeno-Strip test detect all the different types, also 40/41?

Yes, the Adeno-Strip test detect all the different types including 40 and 41. The Adeno-Strip test uses monoclonals directed against the Hexon antigens present on all Adenovirus groups, including the F goup (40/41).

Does the faeces test also detect the types of Adenovirus that can be detect with the Adeno Respi-Strip?

The Adeno Respi-Strip test has been optimised in such a way that it can detect Adenovirus in respiratory samples in terms of quantity of virus and in terms of sample type. If you use the faecal test, you will face detectability problems.

Which group of RSV the RSV Respi-Strip recognizes?

There are two major groups of RSV, A and B. Our monoclonal is specific of the fusion protein. This protein is highly conserved and present on both A and B RSV groups. So, our test is able to recognize both A and B RSV groups.

How shall we use the RSV positive control?

The positive control should be used diluted 2 times with the extraction buffer (1v/1v). The first extraction period is not necessary. You just have to prepare the dilution, to plunge directly the strip into the dilution, and to wait for 15 minutes.

How many tests can be performed with a positive control?

We recommend having 500µl of solution for one test. To perform a test, we mix 0.25mL of positive control with 0.25mL of dilution buffer (to obtain500µl). If you have 1mL of positive control, you can perform 4 tests ; 2mL of positive control, 8 tests.

Does the Giardia-Strip kit detect the cysts in animal faeces?

We have not tested it until now.

The bottom of the nitrocellulose of the strip shows a pinkish aspect. Is it normal?

No. Maybe the absorbent paper came unstuck. In this case, the test is invalid. You must perform the test with another strip.

The liquid does not go up the strip.

If the sample does not migrate (presence of particles), centrifuge the diluted sample. Collect the culture supernatant and perform the test again.

Is the Toxo-Strip test still valid even if the amplification mix arrives defrosted?

No.

Can the Adeno-Strip kit be used in the urine?

No, only in faeces.

Is it a problem if the test has "run" more than the recommended time?

Yes. You may find false positives.

Which is the necessary water volume needed to make a nasopharyngeal wash?

2ml.

The kit has a shelf life of 9 months. Is it usual?

Yes, in the case of new products. At the beginning of a new product release, shelf life is of 9 months. Tests of stability are in progress. Further to the results obtained, shelf life will be prolonged.