Dual HIV/ Syphilis POC Tests: Their Importance in Low to Middle Income Countries
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases across the world are an ever present and ever-increasing issue, not only to adults but to a foetus. Two diseases of particular importance are HIV and Syphilis (caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum). How big a threat are STIs in today’s world? The most recent figures show that in the US, Syphilis cases have tripled between 2013 and 2018 , which includes 5,726 pregnant women. Between 2008...
Covid, RSV or Flu? The emergence of combined testing options
The flu season is well and truly upon us, but is it flu, RSV or covid? And does it matter? The 'tripledemic' season of COVID-19, flu and RSV viruses Influenza A/B, COVID-19 with its variants and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are the three largest contenders responsible for respiratory infections globally. The European Centre of Disease prevention and Control and the Pan American Health Organisation have reported unusual infection spikes this year, collectively...
Using COVID-19 serology status to inform vaccine prioritisation
Global vaccine roll out is making progress but with most countries wanting priority status and with a limited supply, how can governments best prioritise those requiring vaccination? Vaccination strategies Overall two vaccination strategies are in place: the first concentrates on those at highest risk, the second focuses vaccinations on people most likely to transmit the virus, known as direct and indirect vaccination strategies, respectively. Regardless of vaccine type and manufacturer, there are...
Stephane Argivier joins Logical Biological as Non-Executive Director
Logical Biological is delighted to announce the appointment of Stephane Argivier as Non-Executive Director and Board member. Stephane has been involved in IVD and Life Science for the past 23 years, during most of which he has held leadership and executive positions, and built a successful track record of delivering fast and sustained growth with entities ranging from start-ups to multinationals. Stephane is currently CEO and Board member of MIP Diagnostics,...
The utility of SARS-CoV-2 IgA in COVID-19 testing
At the outset of the 2019 SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 epidemic, diagnostic immunoassay manufacturers focused on developing anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM & IgG tests. While the epidemic has progressed to become a global pandemic, diagnostic test developers’ efforts have also evolved. Recently, we have noticed an increase in interest for patient material positive for Human anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA. This article will take a look at the difference between the different immunoglobulin sub-classes and seek to...
The time we saved a woodpecker during our lunch-break
Here at Logical Biological we care about reducing our environmental impact. We are lucky to work in a rural location and get to see lots of wildlife around our HQ at Discovery Park. A few days ago, we were able to put our environmentally conscious aims into practice when we saved a Green Woodpecker. We noticed the beautiful bird, caught upside down with its legs tangled in synthetic nesting material...
SARS-CoV-2 – Beware Antibody Tests with <100% Specificity
We are in the midst of the most significant global pandemic since the 1918-19 Influenza pandemic, over 100 years ago. The 2020 pandemic has been caused by a Coronavirus, named SARS-CoV-2, which confers a severe respiratory illness (COVID-19) on a proportion of those infected. The virus is readily transmissible from human to human with many of those infected showing no or mild symptoms, meaning it is hard to know who...
EPS Waste
As we move into 2020, one thing we'd like to do at Logical Biological is find a greener way of dealing with polystyrene box waste. The material has fantastic properties making it ideal for use in shipping biological reagents around the world. It is incredibly lightweight, a great insulator and it can withstand some knocking around, so it is no surprise that our industry uses so much of it. The...
Chagas positive plasma added to range
Logical Biological has added Chagas antibody positive plasma to its range having received clearance from the UK government Health & Safety Executive to handle human biological material containing Trypanosoma cruzi, which is the causative agent of Chagas Disease. T. cruzi is a Hazard Group 3 pathogen according to “The Approved List of Biological Reagents”. Hazard Group 3 is defined as follows: “Can cause severe human disease and may be a serious hazard to employees; it may...
Irregular Blood Group Antibodies – What Are They?
Irregular antibodies are antibodies found in the blood of transfusion donors that have the potential to cause hemolysis of the recipient blood. Screening using an indirect Coombs Test should be performed to ensure that the donor blood is compatible with the recipient. “Irregular Antibodies” refers to all antibodies, other than those detecting ABO blood group antigens, that can cause incompatibility in blood transfusions and between mother & child. The ABO Blood...
