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A ready-to-use system designed to simplify the storage and retrieval of bacterial and fungal cultures. Comprised of a unique cryovial system incorporating treated beads and a special cryopreservative solution Microbank™ provides a more reliable means of maintaining important cultures than repetitive subculture, which can result in contaminated cultures, lost organisms or changed characteristics. The specially formulated preservative ensures longer survival of fastidious cultures and higher quantitative recoveries. Each 2.0 ml Microbank™ vial contains approximately 25 beads, providing repeated cultures of the original organism using a simple procedure. Extensive, proven performance reference data is available on request in the ""Microbank™ World Wide Performance Portfolio"". Call the Sales Coordination desk on Tel: 0151 353 1613 or E-mail: uksupport@pro-lab.com, to receive your copy.

The range of Prolex™ Latex Agglutination Systems manufactured by Pro-Lab Diagnostics currently presents a range of rapid latex agglutination systems for Streptococci, Staphlylococci (including MRSA), E. coli and Legionella. All kits are presented in our user and environment friendly modular packaging system with recyclable cardboard. The manufacturing of Prolex™ Latex Agglutination systems employs a redesigned process to enhance performance, clarity of results, and speed or reaction offering advantages over traditional latex reactions. Latex agglutination reagents used for detection of antigens or antibody have traditionally been prepared by physical adsorption of biological molecules to the surface of plain polystyrene (PS) microparticles [1]. Although perfectly acceptable latex reagents are created with this methodology, reagent stability and reactivity may be enhanced by covalent attachment of antigens and antibody to functionalized microparticles. For example, Ortega-Vinuesa et al [2] observed that covalent attachment of IgG resulted in improved immunodetection of C-reactive protein and storage characteristics relative to passive adsorption. The authors speculated this may have been due to more favorable orientation of the IgG on the surface of sensitized microparticles. Numerous approaches have been developed for covalent attachment of biological molecules to microparticles [1]; however, the most common employs carboxylate-modified microparticles (CM-MP) and chemical cross-linking agents. Prolex™ Latex Agglutination Systems are based on CM-MP and this represents a significant improvement over the traditional latex kits in terms of product performance characteristics, giving faster, clearer and more specific reactions.

The Proflow™ range of sensitive, rapid and easy to use lateral flow kits are available for a range of pathogens. Test methods are extremely simple, with no more than two hands on steps, and results can be read in 15 minutes. Please refer to the current edition of our Proflow™ catalogue for more details. Copies are available on request – email uksupport@pro-lab.com

An extensive range of ready-to-use and concentrated microbiological staining solutions in a selection of convenient economical sizes. All stains are manufactured in our own purpose designed laboratories to the highest standards, in accordance with all current regulatory requirements, and CE labelled. Using the finest raw materials, and adopting strict quality control and filtering techniques prior to release, all stains offer excellent performance characteristics. Also available are a range of convenient staining kits for Gram, TB and Cryptosporidium staining. In addition to the standard range of products available routinely, Pro-Lab Diagnostics also offers a custom delivery and preparation service. Full details of the "Stain Connection" can be obtained from the sales coordination desk. Tel: 0151 353 1613 Fax: 0151 353 1614 E-mail: uksupport@pro-lab.com

Pro-Lab Diagnostics proudly presents the Vision™ Antisera, a comprehensive range of antisera in 3.0 and 2.0 ml dropper bottles. Product range includes Polyvalent Somatic Salmonella Antisera, Monovalent Somatic Salmonella Antisera, Polyvalent Flagella Salmonella Antisera, Monovalent Flagella Salmonella Antisera, Polyvalent Rapid Salmonella Diagnostic Sera (RSD), Polyvalent Shigella Slide Antisera and E. coli Slide Agglutination Antisera. Vistion™ antisera is produced to W.H.O. (World Health Organization) guidelines, certified reference centre performance, economical volume and has a 5 year shelf life from date of manufacture.

Rabbit Coagulase Plasma is a standardized, lyophilised rabbit plasma used for the qualitative detection of the coagulase enzyme produced by Staphylococcus aureus.

The Direct Fluorescent Antibody Reagents are intended for the presumptive (serological) identification of Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1 to 14 from culture isolates.

Pro-Cult® discs provide microbiologists with a simple, reliable, and high quality guaranteed first generation source of bacterial cultures that can be adapted for use in virtually any microbiological test method. Each Pro-Cult® disc is a freeze dried presentation of approximately 106 to 109 viable organisms. Unlike many other cultures derived from recognised culture collections, each lot number of Pro-Cult® is guaranteed as “First Generation"" directly traceable to its source. Strains for production of Pro- Cult® discs are taken from recognised national collections: NCTC or NCPF depending on the strain required. The original freeze dried culture is initially grown on appropriate culture media and then suspended in a special solution. This solution is then dispensed as drops and frozen without delay, when frozen, the freeze drying process begins. The resulting Pro-Cult® discs can then be reconstituted in liquid media or placed directly onto the solid media. As the discs are extremely hygroscopic, moisture is absorbed from the solid media and the discs become spreadable within a few minutes to give an instant inoculum. This method is particularly recommended for fastidious organisms. All quality control testing used to guarantee the performance of Pro-Cult® is UKAS accredited. Supplied in units of 10 discs with an expiry date up to 12 months from date of manufacture depending on the strain, the extensive range available includes all requirements for BSAC (British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy). Selectrol® is a first generation derivative of original stock cultures obtained exclusively from the National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC®) or National Collection of Patho-genic Fungi (NCPF®). Where appropriate other international strain designations, such as the ATCC®, are listed for reference purposes only. NCTC® and NCPF® are trademarks of Public Health England. ATCC® strains are listed for reference only. ATCC® is a registered trademark of the American Type Culture Collection. To retrieve a certificate of analysis (C of A) please contact uksupport@pro-lab.com or call 0151 353 1613.

All your Essential microbiology products available from Pro-Lab Diagnostics.

A simple, rapid swab method for the detection of Amniotic Fluid. For full details of application method and reading / interpretation of results, please visit www.amniotest.com, or call sales coordination on Tel: 0151 353 1613.

Pro-Lab Diagnostics are able to offer the complete range of test systems recommended in the algorithm, in a range of formats to suit your laboratory needs. Please see the “Clostridium difficile…Past, Present and Future” book for more details. Copies are available on request – email uksupport@pro-lab.com

Pro-Slides™ from Pro-Lab Diagnostics are designed to satisfy UKAS and ISO requirements to support the quality control of Gram, Acid Fast and Cryptosporidium staining techniques, manufactured using traceable strains.- No minimum order- Long shelf life- Stored at room temperature- Traceable strains- Colour coded slides- Durable storage box