COVID-19 Products and Services

STATEMENT FROM RANDOX: TEMPORARY PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE

16 July 2020

As an immediate precautionary measure we have temporarily suspended distribution of sample collection kits using one particular batch / supplier of swabs. This is a temporary measure and does not apply to our private business which uses a different supplier of swabs.

Test results from Randox kits are not affected.

For more information please contact the Randox PR team by emailing randoxpr@randox.com

The Importance of Early Detection of Acute Kidney Injury in COVID-19 patients

Randox are proud to provide an early detection assay, capable of detecting Acute Kidney Injury in COVID-19 positive patients. AKI is an innovative diagnostic tool with the ability to identify four early and highly sensitive markers of kidney injury.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has highlighted that is important that COVID-19 patients are assessed for AKI on admission to hospital or transfer, monitored for AKI throughout their stay and that AKI is managed appropriately if it develops. (NICE, 2020)

The novel test, which includes biomarkers recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency detects KIM-I, NGAL, Cystatin C, and Clusterin.

Kidney failure associated with COVID-19 is emerging as a common side effect with further studies underway. Early detection to prevent further renal damage, is vital for an individual’s long-term health, wellbeing and overall survival.

The biomarkers on the Randox AKI Biochip have been identified as more sensitive than traditional testing methods, which, based on urine output and levels of serum creatinine, are grossly insensitive and not specific for the accurate diagnosis and monitoring of AKI.

The Randox AKI assay provides results in 2.5 hours. The new testing panel also facilitates increased lab efficiency and reduced sample prep from the laboratory technician. Using just one urine sample, Randox’s patented Biochip Technology tests for all four AKI biomarkers simultaneously, resulting in time and cost saving benefits, which drive towards an increase in clinical performance.

For further information on our Acute Kidney Injury Array please visit the Randox Biosciences website.

For any other enquiries please email info@randoxbiosciences.com

RX modena and Randox Reagents used in COVID-19 hospital in India

Randox Laboratories has installed an RX modena into a COVID-19 hospital in India; the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College in Madhya Pradesh state.

The installation, which marks the first RX modena to be used in an Indian Government Medical College, replaces existing instrumentation in the Medical College laboratory, an initiative which was driven by College Dean Dr. Pradeep Kumar Kasar and Head of Department Dr. Ashok Kumar Sahu.

The RX modena will cater for an additional 38 samples compared to the previous instrumentation, and is running a range of biochemistry tests that play a pivotal role in COVID-19 patient management, including C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Ferritin, and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH).

Dr. Ashok Kumar Sahu, Head of Biochemistry at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, commented;

“We are very pleased with the performance of the RX modena, and in particular with its wide menu of tests that can be utilized for COVID-19 patient management. Its high throughput and versatility have been a great support for the clinicians working in our COVID-19 hospital, in determining risk stratification, disease progression, and response to treatment.”

The RX modena is a high volume, floor standing, fully automated clinical chemistry analyser with a world leading test menu which covers specific proteins, lipids, therapeutic drugs, antioxidants, diabetes and veterinary testing. The versatile analyser offers advanced methodologies with excellent correlation to the gold standard, and excellent reagent CV ranges.

Shail Dholabhai, Randox India Sales Manager, commented;

 “We are delighted that the team at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College have chosen the RX modena to fulfil the testing requirements of this COVID-19 hospital. Offering an unrivalled test menu of routine and specialized chemistries, the RX modena provides laboratories with the superior precision, reliability and accuracy that the Randox RX series is renowned for.

“Capable of performing a total of 1200 tests per hour including ISE, the RX modena presents a new class of efficiency which will result in faster and more accurate diagnoses, and ultimately, lead to better patient outcomes.”

Benefits of the RX modena

• Capable of performing 800 photometric and a total of 1200 tests per hour including ISE.
• World-leading extensive test menu covering routine chemistries, specific proteins, lipids, antioxidants, cardiac, diabetes and veterinary testing, offering cost savings through consolidation of routine and novel tests on a single platform.
• Economic platform with low water consumption of less than 20 litres per hour saving on consumable costs. The RX modena also requires less than 5 minutes minimal maintenance.
• Interactive touch-screen technology with integrated barcode readers for reagent and sample identification. Increased functionality with 13 wavelengths generated via diffraction grating (340-800nm) ensuring a multitude of chemistries are possible on one system.
• Easy-to-use advanced Microsoft 10 software with a built-in Inventory Management System calculating the number of tests remaining, providing alerts of shortages and expired reagents and calibrators. The RX modena also features automatic test re-run function and sample dilution.
• Dedicated reagent and sample pipettes to minimise the risk of errors and contamination. The RX modena also features a continuous loading hatch to allow for samples to be analysed quickly and easily during a run.
• Advanced QC capabilities with daily, monthly and batch QC with data archiving, Levey-Jennings charts and automatic QC and calibration. There are also 7 different calibration options available.

For further information about the RX modena click here. 

For information about laboratory tools for COVID-19 patient management please click here.

For other enquiries please contact marketing@randox.com

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We Are Randox | How Kelly Mon became Deputy Testing Coordinator for COVID-19

In support of our new £30m COVID-19 laboratories, we are hiring 200 new staff across Engineering, Manufacturing and Science.

For an idea of what it’s like to be part of the COVID-19 testing programme at Randox, we spoke to Deputy Coordinator Manager Kelly Mon.

Kelly spoke to us about what a typical day in COVID-19 testing looks like, the career path she took to her current role, and her advice for a successful job search.

Name: Kelly Mon

Job Title: Deputy Co-Ordinator Manager

Department: COVID-19 Testing

Are there alternative routes into the job?

For a job in Clinical Research you would ideally have a BSc in Biomedical Science, Biochemistry or Life Sciences, and a Diploma in Professional Practice. Alternatively, if you have a degree in another area we have a scheme at Randox that allows graduates the chance to rotate throughout departments, and many good candidates are offered positions at the end. There are also apprenticeships and student placements available.

What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day in clinical trials usually involves running patient blood or urine samples on Randox Biochips that have been custom-made to suit that particular project. We work to tight deadlines, have regular updates with internal staff and customers, and conduct data analysis and reports. A typical day working on COVID-19 testing involves lots of PPE, and constant communication between a wide range of staff and departments. In my role I oversee our quality control, create and communicate important procedures, and visit the lab to make sure my staff are doing well.

Is this what you always wanted to do?

Whilst I knew that I liked science, I wasn’t sure what job I wanted to do. No one in my circle had ever gone on to study at university so I hadn’t considered it an option. I couldn’t even imagine that I could become a scientist.

 What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?

For me, the best aspect of any job is the people and at Randox I work with a great bunch. I also like the fact that there is career progression for people who put in the work to get it, and that you are trained to perform all tasks, not just one part of the work flow. The most challenging aspect of the job at times is the intensity of the workload, which is why organizational skills and the ability to keep calm under pressure are key in this job.

Why is what you do important?

There is that old saying that your health is your wealth and I’m proud to work for a healthcare company providing high quality health diagnostics. These products are used every day to assist in the detection of a wide range of diseases to provide the earliest possible diagnosis and improved patient outcomes. In my department the clinical trials we manage help to detect biomarkers of disease and determine treatment efficacy, which is important to identify less invasive methods of diagnosis, and more tailored ways to treat each patient.

What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?

It’s important in any career to work hard and stick at it. I dropped out of two courses before I started the BTEC Diploma. I could have given up when times were hard, but I stuck with it and here I am sharing what I’ve learnt throughout my career. If you are planning specifically to study Biomedical Science, the advice I would give is to choose a course with a placement. My own course had a one-year placement in an NHS hospital, and the experience in a professional environment that gave me key laboratory skills was invaluable. It also gets you contacts in the industry which is always helpful.

If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?

I love my job, I love my career and I love the people I work with so honestly, I wouldn’t choose any other career path!

 Describe your ideal day off.

My ideal day off work involves pyjamas, junk food and good old Netflix.

And finally, what’s the key to any successful job search?

Sometimes job searching can be tiresome and after a while you start to apply without properly researching, but the key to any successful job search is preparation. Start by giving your CV an update and get someone – perhaps your university careers team, or a friend or family member – to proof-read it. Or, if you don’t have any other help, you can begin by searching CV templates on the internet. Personally I would advise that you include some interesting hobbies to make your application stand out. You would be surprised how things seemingly unrelated to a particular job will keep you in the recruiter’s mind. Then come up with some possible questions and think of the answers you might give before you go for interview.

We are delighted to have Kelly with us at Randox as part of our COVID-19 testing programme.

For current vacancies at Randox please visit careers.randox.com

For more We Are Randox stories about our amazing colleagues, make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and follow the hashtag #WeAreRandox.

For further information please email recruitment@randox.com or phone 028 9442 2413.

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COVID-19 Testing: PCR (Diagnostic) vs Antibody

The advice from the World Health Organisation in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic has been simple; Test. Test. Test.

But what are the different types of COVID-19 tests and what are they used for?

Diagnostic (PCR) Testing

This type of testing detects SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) within the body and will tell you if you currently have COVID-19. PCR tests cannot tell you if you have had past infection.

Sample collection for a PCR test can vary, though it is usually in the form of a swab, which will gather an individual’s nasopharyngeal (nose and throat) secretions.

PCR tests for COVID-19 all use methods that detect a specific part of the viral genome – for example Viral RNA or Antigen.  

A sample is prepared by extracting the chosen section of the genome, and then PCR (Polyamerase Chain Reaction) techniques are used to amplify (replicate) the genome section, ready for detection.

Viral RNA Tests

This type of test detects the RNA (Ribonucleic acid) contained within the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

It is this type of test, for RNA, that is recommended by The World Health Organisation for COVID-19 diagnosis.

Antigen Tests

Antigens are molecular structures on the surface of viruses that are recognized by the immune system and are capable of triggering an immune response.

Antigen tests detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus by looking for the antigen on the surface of the virus.

Randox COVID-19 Test

The Randox COVID-19 test, as recommended by the World Health Organisation, detects the RNA contained within the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

After sample extraction and amplification, the virus is detected on our patented Randox Biochip Technology platform.

The Randox Biochip, which can run multiple tests simultaneously, performs two tests for COVID-19 – one specific and one confirmatory – as recommended by the WHO. This delivers extra assurance of the correct diagnosis and avoids the need to repeat the test.

Antibody (Serology) Tests

Antibody (also known as serology) tests, are usually performed on a patient blood sample, and look for antibodies (a type of protein) that may have been developed by the patient’s immune system to fight off disease.

If present, antibodies may provide a degree of immunity for the patient against COVID-19 in the future.

However, there is still much unknown about the body’s antibody response to COVID-19, including;

• Whether all patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 will generate antibodies (recent studies and news reports indicate that this isn’t the case. Click here for an example.)
• Whether those who have had more severe symptoms as a result of COVID-19 will produce more antibodies than those who had mild symptoms, or were asymptomatic.
• If antibodies from other coronaviruses previously experienced by the patient may be enough to fight off the virus, therefore eliminating the need for COVID-19 specific antibodies.
• How long any COVID-19 specific antibody response will last for.
• How much future immunity is provided by COVID-19 antibodies. Will it prevent the patient from being infected, or will future infection just be less severe?

If antibodies for the SARS-CoV-2 virus are present this can give an indication that the patient has been previously infected with COVID-19. Antibody tests do not confirm the real-time presence of the virus in your system.

For example, a negative antibody result does not necessarily mean the body has not been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It could in fact, be currently infected, but has not yet generated antibodies. A diagnostic test will confirm current presence of the virus.

Therefore, it is recommended that antibody tests are used in tandem with a diagnostic test to determine a complete overview of the patient’s COVID-19 status.

Randox Health currently offers both diagnostic testing and antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

A combination of diagnostic and antibody testing is available for individual purchase, or as part of our ‘Back to Business’ COVID-19 testing service, for staff screening.

Visit Randox Health to find out more.

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COVID-19 – Laboratory Tools for Disease Management

In addition to tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, laboratory diagnostics play a pivotal role in patient management, risk stratification, monitoring of disease progression, associated complications and response to treatment.

Randox offers a comprehensive range of laboratory solutions including; diagnostics reagents, revolutionary Biochip technology and quality control designed to provide clinicians with valuable insights into disease severity ultimately helping to improve patient care.

Patients with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are particularly susceptible to COVID-19 infection and are at greater risk of developing severe illness.  The Randox portfolio may also be used to diagnose and monitor such at risk patients with underlying health concerns.

Biochemistry Reagents

Our extensive test menu comprises 113 assays, including many unique tests and a range of biomarkers designed to assist laboratories when screening for a variety of COVID-19 related health issues.

Randox Reagents are internationally recognised as being of the highest quality; producing accurate and precise results.  Applications are available detailing instrument-specific settings for the majority of clinical chemistry analysers.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

Elevated markers of inflammation and infection such as CRP may indicate severe viral infection. CRP is elevated in up to 86% of COVID-19 patients who are admitted to hospital. Testing for CRP is useful in assessing prognosis, and when monitoring improvement. It is recommended that CRP is measured at baseline and then at intervals, a sudden increase in levels will prompt surveillance for secondary infection or other cause of deterioration.

Ferritin

As an acute phase reactant, Ferritin levels increase in response to inflammation. High levels have been identified in approximately 60% of individuals hospitalised as a result of COVID-19 infection. In critically ill patients, elevated Ferritin levels may be indicative of a cytokine storm and secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a hyperinflammatory syndrome associated with organ failure.

Liver Function Tests (Albumin, ALT, AST, Bilirubin)

Patients with COVID-19 may be at higher risk of liver injury or impairment of liver function. Liver function markers such as ALT, AST and Bilirubin are notably higher in more severe infections, decreased albumin levels have also been documented in severe cases. Drug induced liver injury as a result of COVID-19 treatment should not be ignored and should be monitored.

Renal Function Tests (Creatinine, Cystatin C)

Emerging evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may directly affect kidney function, as such COVID-19 patients should be assessed for Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) on admission to hospital and monitored throughout their stay. AKI can lead to worse outcomes for patients.

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)

LDH levels may be a convenient marker for the identification of COVID-19 patients at higher risk of developing severe respiratory failure. It is well documented that high LDH levels are indicative of haematological malignancy and acute lung injury. LDH levels might therefore reflect tissue necrosis related to immune hyperactivity and thus are related to poor clinical outcomes in individuals with COVID-19.

G6PDH

Chloroquine has been investigated as a potential treatment for COVID-19, the anti-malaria drug however could have devastating consequences for those with a G6PDH deficiency. G6PDH deficiency is a genetic disorder affecting the red blood cells, causing them to break down prematurely. The most common complication of deficiency is haemolytic anaemia. An estimated 400 million people globally have G6PDH deficiency, it is most common in certain parts of Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean and Middle East.

Randox Biochip Solutions

Randox Biochip technology is extremely versatile with applications in not only the diagnosis of COVID-19 but also the identification of individuals at risk of developing more severe illness.  

Unique to Randox, Biochip technology is capable of simultaneous detection of a panel of  related disease markers.  An extensive range of  Biochip panels are available, each optimised to provide the best performance.

Cytokine Arrays

Cytokines play a vital role in the immune system and are known to be involved in the body’s response to a variety of inflammatory and infectious diseases. The over stimulation of these cytokines in response to infection is referred to as a ‘cytokine storm’ and strongly correlates with poor disease outcomes. Cytokine storms are a common complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection triggering viral sepsis, where viral replication and excessive, uncontrolled systemic inflammation may lead to pneumonitis, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), respiratory failure, shock, multiple organ failure, secondary bacterial pneumonia, and potentially death. Cytokines such as IL-6 appear to be elevated in patients with more severe illness and may be used to monitor response to treatment as levels decrease as the condition improves.

Quality Control Solutions

Randox offer a range of Quality control and External Quality Assessment (EQA) solutions designed to ensure the accuracy and reliability of patient testing.

Haematology

Decreased blood counts have been frequently identified in COVID-19 patients and may be indicative of a decreased immunological response to the virus, bacterial infection or consumption.

Blood Gas

Blood Gas tests are used to help diagnose and monitor critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICU) and emergency departments. Blood Gas testing continues to play a critical role in the management of COVID-19 patients providing an indication of a patient’s oxygenation levels. Monitoring of these levels will enable healthcare professionals to make ventilator adjustments if required.

Cardiac Markers

Increased levels of cardiac markers including Troponin and CK-MB may be associated with a higher mortality rate in COVID-19 patients.

Coagulation

Patients with severe COVID-19 infection are more likely to have coagulopathy, a condition in which the bloods ability to form clots is impaired. Activation of blood coagulation factors such as Prothrombin Time (PT) and D-dimer are significant predictors of disease severity and mortality.

Procalcitonin

Procalcitonin is an acute phase reactant released by most tissues during inflammation and is particularly associated with bacterial infection. Although it is not usually elevated in viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2 levels may increase as a result of severe systemic inflammation. It may also be used to help detect secondary infections.

For further information about any of the above Laboratory Tools for COVID-19 Disease Management please email marketing@randox.com

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