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FAQs

  • How can I prepare my AIMS® software to run a new assay?
    • If you have ordered a new assay and want to run it on the AIMS® there are 2 files that need to be added. They are the XML protocol file and the Luminex template file. Files that control the AIMS® AtheNA robotic movements and programming parameters for each individual AtheNA kit are included on the calibration CD that is contained in each AtheNA kit. These parameters are NOT kit lot specific, do not change with each kit lot and need to be installed only once upon initial running of the kit. Follow these instructions to ensure your AIMS® can run your newly ordered assay kit:

      Instructions on installing xml protocol files:

      1. Open AtheNA Multi-Lyte® Calibration CD for the specific assay and lot number that was loaded.
      2. Open the following location located on the CD: E:\AIMS\AIMS XML files
      3. Once the AIMS XML files folder is open, select the xml file that pertains to the assay you will be running and copy and paste it to the following location on the AIMS® computer: C:\ZAtheNA\zps\assays.
      4. The protocol xml file has now been added, and you are ready to run the assay.

      Instructions on installing luminex template files:

      1. Open Luminex software.
      2. Go to “File” on the top menu bar, and scroll down to select “Import Template.”
      3. A screen will open which will prompt you to find the template. Locate the appropriate template in the Calibration CD under the following folder:E:\AIMS\AIMSLuminexTemplates.
      4. Once the corresponding template has been selected, select “Open.”
      5. Once the template has been added, click on the “Add Template” button, located underneath “Favorites.”
      6. Locate your corresponding template, and press “Select.”
      7. Your Luminex Template has now been added.
  • Can PBS/Mounting Media from another manufacturer be utilized for this test system?
    • All test systems have been optimized utilizing the reagents provided in each test system. ZORBA® reagants are manufactured by ZEUS Scientific and optimized for our test systems only. Other manufacturer's reagents may not consist of the same reagents and formulation

  • Can reagents be purchased separately?
    • All reagents are available for purchase separately. Although a particular lot may not be available, all IFA product reagents are universal within their respective test systems.

  • How can a cutoff be determined for pos/neg results?
    • The cut off to all IFA Test Systems is dependent on the initial dilution required by that specific test system Package Insert. Positivity at and above that initial starting dilution means that the patient sample is considered positive. A lack of fluorescence at the starting dilution means that the patient sample is negative. The cutoff is determined by a fluorescence grading system of 1 to 4+ (4+ being the strongest intensity of fluorescence while the 1+ is the weakest fluorescent staining that is considered significant). All positive control vials provide a manufacturer's suggested end point titer, or 1+ dilution, that can be used as a reference to judge minimally reactive, 1+ end point fluorescence. Anything equal to or above this fluorescence is positive while anything less intense is negative. Note: Due to laboratory environment, instrument variations & lab tech subjectivity, this 1+ dilution can only be considered a recommended dilution. It is fully acceptable for laboratories to show variance within +/- 1 serial dilution from the recommended.

  • How do I utilize the IgG Removal Reagent for IgM assays and is this dilution my starting for titrations?
    • The ZORBA® IgG Removal Reagent should be allowed to warm to room temperature before testing has been initiated. Prior to testing, the ZORBA® IgG Removal Reagent should be shaken well. Then a 1:10 screening dilution should be created by diluting 5uL of patient sera with 45uL of ZORBA® IgG Removal Reagent. The sample is now ready for screen testing. If the sample is to be further tittered, the serial dilutions should be made in PBS with the initial dilution being made in the ZORBA® IgG Removal Reagent as the starting dilution. Flocculent material may form due to immune complex formations. This material will not interfere with the test system yet can be removed by centrifugation prior to testing if desired.

  • How long can reagents be left out of their required temperature requirements?
    • Reagents should be allowed to come to room temperature for testing and then returned to their required storage conditions immediately after use.

  • What are the benefits of screening with ZORBA® Reagent as the diluents?
    • ZORBA® Reagents are specifically geared toward removing interfering substances with patient sera to better prepare patient sera for optimal IFA testing conditions. The ZORBA-NS® Reagent was developed and optimized to reduce nonspecific fluorescence, resulting from the non-immunological attachment of immunoglobulins to a substrate. This effect may vary from sample to sample but if nonspecific interference is high within a sample, it can mask a potential pattern and would have to be reported as uninterpretable. Proactive use of this reagent will minimize retesting requirements for samples with high nonspecific concentrations. The ZORBA® IgG Removal Reagent was designed to functionally remove potentially interfering immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies from human sera prior to testing for IgM. Specific IgG in a patient specimen may compete with specific IgM for antigenic sites on the substrate. Depending on the ratio of IgG to IgM, false negative IgM results may be obtained. In addition, RF IgM (IgM class anti-IgG) if present in conjunction with specific IgG, may interact with the antigen bound IgG resulting in a false positive IgM test. Therefore accurate measurement of pathogen-specific IgM is highly dependent upon the effective removal or neutralization of specific IgG. Proactive use of this reagent will minimize this effect and provide more accurate testing results, meaning that further repeat and reference testing would be minimized as well.

  • What are the ZORBA® Reagents and are they required to perform testing or are they optional?
    • ZORBA® IgG Removal Reagent should be used for pre-treatment when running IgM IFA Test Systems. ZORBA® NS Sample Diluent is not required for use on any particular test system, yet it should be used to reduce any possibility of conflicting sample related effects. Utilization of the ZORBA® Reagents will ensure that samples have been pretreated to the best of their ability; this will reduce both cost & product waste by minimizing the need to retest samples that contain the interfering substances.

  • What is meant by a recommended endpoint titer?
    • A recommended endpoint titer refers to the last dilution that shows a measurable degree of reactivity. It is considered recommended because it was derived during the production of the Positive Control & it was the dilution that yielded a 1+, Minimally Reactive Result. This is the weakest fluorescence grade that is considered significant. Due to the subjectivity of the IFA Test Systems from differences in laboratory environments, instrumentation and laboratory technologist subjectivity, this endpoint titer may vary between laboratories. Therefore ZEUS Scientific recommends that each laboratory establish its own endpoint titer using the provided recommended endpoint titer as a reference. It has been found that most variation is still within 1+/- titer from the recommended endpoint titer, if it does not exactly match up with the recommended endpoint titer for that specific lab.

  • What is the best way for slides to come to room temperature?
    • IFA Kits will be shipped in a specific configuration so that all reagents are grouped together. The amount of slides required for a particular day’s testing should be pulled and laid out on the lab bench, spread out from each other. If slides are allowed to remain grouped together, they will take longer to come to room temperature. Therefore, all slides should be laid out and allowed to come to room temperature evenly. Please note that slides should remain in their pouches until ready to add the diluted sample and controls.