Abbott expands the ARCHITECT virology assay range

New rHTLV I/II and improved Anti-HBc II assays

Abbott Diagnostics has expanded its already comprehensive ARCHITECT assay range. The new ARCHITECT rHTLV I/II Assay is a fully automated recombinant assay used to detect antibodies to Human T-Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) I and II. The new Hepatitis B Core Antigen (Anti-HBc II) Assay brings significant improvement in performance for specificity without impacting sensitivity. The launch of these new assays will complete the automation of the infectious disease panels used for testing in the blood screening environment.

Continued expansion of the testing menu on ARCHITECT is a priority for Abbott. The ARCHITECT immunoassay systems are used to diagnose and monitor a wide range of diseases routinely tested for in laboratories, playing a critical role in monitoring communicable disease in the community and in the screening of donated blood and transplant organs.

Neither hepatitis B nor HTLV is easy to detect. Carriers of these viruses may not develop symptoms immediately, if at all, and both are lifelong infections that can cause chronic (long-term) illness.

Abbott is a global leader in in vitro diagnostics and offers a broad range of flexible instrument systems and high-performance tests for hospitals, reference labs and blood banks. Working with customers in the UK, the Abbott team is also focused on process modernisation and change management, the IT needs of the laboratory and providing a professional service and support network.