Finnish biotechnology company Biohit Oyj has enabled its GastroPanel examination to be started from a whole blood sample without requiring an additional procedure.
The GastroPanel examination is a non-invasive blood test designed to detect Helicobacter pylori infection, characterised by a lack of acid in the stomach in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. It can also detect risk of stomach cancer and vitamin B12 malabsorption.
The test gives information on the structure and function of the stomach mucosa and risks posed by the occurrence of a possible abnormal mucosa.
The test panel comprises four assays which are Pepsinogen I ELISA, Pepsinogen II ELISA, Gastrin-17 ELISA and Helicobacter pylori IgG ELISA.
Currently the GastroPanel test is performed by analysing a plasma sample submitted to laboratory which needs centrifugation of the whole blood after drawing the sample. Such sample processing steps to separate the plasma limits the usage of the test at doctor’s offices and private practices owing to its lack of centrifugation facilities.
However, following introduction of refinements, the test can now be conducted from a whole blood sample without centrifugation and transfer of the plasma into a tube with patient’s data label.
Biohit Oyj chief medical director Professor Kari Syrjänen said: "This update does not change the properties of the GastroPanel examination but makes it significantly easier to use especially among doctors who operate on a private practice.
“Now, when centrifugation and other sample processing steps can be omitted in the context of blood sampling, it is possible to further improve the patient safety and save cost.”
Labelled tubes carrying whole blood sample can be sent for analysis to clinical laboratories without centrifugation or other steps at the doctor’s office.
