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QBC F.A.S.T. AFB Kits: Features and Benefits
The World Health Organization has recommended the use of LED fluorescence microscopy for the detection of Tuberculosis Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) because of its improvements in speed and sensitivity over Ziehl-Neelsen stains.
QBC F.A.S.T. (Fluorescence and Staining Technologies) AFB Kits were developed to meet this recommendation, with a host of revolutionary advances such as:
- 3-Minute F.A.S.T. Auramine O Stain prepares samples in a fraction of the time of conventional stains
- Patent Pending SureFocus Microscope Slide simplifies focusing and standardizes review to meet World Health Organization requirements
- Total System Approach eases the burden for users, as QBC Diagnostics can provide all of the supplies needed for review
F.A.S.T. Auramine O Stain
Auramine O-based staining for AFB detection has been used for decades and is a mainstay for TB fluorescence microscopy.
When stained with Auramine O, AFB fluoresce brightly against a dark background, allowing microscopists to easily identify them using lower magnification and with less eye strain than bright field methods, such as Ziehl-Neelsen staining.
F.A.S.T. Auramine O Stain Kits further improve this technology with reagents that provide improved results in significantly less time.
F.A.S.T. reagents take approximately 3 minutes to stain, versus 20 minutes for conventional stains, thus increasing lab throughput.
SureFocus Microscope Slide
SureFocus Microscope Slides are printed with a fluorescent smear guide that is visible under the same wavelengths that excite Auramine O stain.
This makes the guide completely visible during review, allowing users to keep samples in focus even on negative samples, which otherwise would appear completely dark.
The SureFocus smear guide has also been sized specifically to standardize review.
By using fluorescent milestones to follow a suggested review path, users can be confident they are meeting WHO standards for slide grading without having to count individual fields.
This allows users to keep their focus on detecting AFB, with minimal distractions.
Complete AFB Detection Systems
F.A.S.T. AFB systems were developed to meet the diverse and unique needs of TB labs globally.
They are available in several formats and contain all of the components necessary for AFB review, from collection to microscopy.
Included in all F.A.S.T. AFB kits are the F.A.S.T. Auramine O Stain Kit, SureFocus Microscope Slides, and acid fast control slides (an important tool for ensuring quality results), along with all necessary collection and processing supplies.
Kits are also available with digestion solution for labs that perform additional testing, such as culture.
For labs building fluorescence microscopy capacity or making the switch from bright field microscopy, full instrument and disposables packages are available, which include the QBC ParaLens Advance or the QBC Horizon Model 755VES centrifuge.
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