Faster and easier ScheBo Biotech 'Faecal Elastase Test'

The Faecal Elastase Test is now becoming established as the non-invasive ‘test of choice’ for measuring the pancreatic exocrine function. Two separate independent guidelines - produced by the British Society of Gastroenterology (go to http://www.bsg.org.uk) and by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust (go to http://www.cftrust.org.uk/ and then click on the icon for the ‘Standards of Care’ pdf file) - both recommend the use of this test.

Its high sensitivity and high specificity, combined with the patient acceptability of collecting a small, single, random stool sample, have contributed to its success. ScheBo Biotech has continued to improve the test, and has not only reduced the overall incubation time by an hour and twenty minutes, but has also eliminated a dilution procedure and one three-wash step.

The introduction of a new, ready-to-use complex of anti-E1-Biotin and POD-Strepatavidin has led to substantial timesavings. Further savings have been made by shorter incubation times, reducing the total incubation time by 55% - from 145 minutes to just 65 minutes. The revised procedure also eliminates the need for dilution of the biotinylated monoclonal antibody; and decreases the total time spent on washing.

Ivor Smith, Managing Director of ScheBo Biotech UK Ltd, comments: “The Faecal Elastase Test is already fast becoming the Gold Standard for non-invasive testing of exocrine pancreatic function. We have now improved it even further, so that it is faster and more economical. Shortening the overall incubation time by an hour and twenty minutes is in itself a substantial time saving. The loss of a dilution step not only saves even more time, but also removes a potential source of error.”

These newest improvements underline ScheBo Biotech’s commitment to supporting their customers. They follow the earlier introduction of their Quick-Prep tubes, for use with ScheBo Biotech’s faecal tests. These greatly decrease the amount of time required to obtain a measured amount of sample and for the extraction procedure compared to the weighing method, using an innovative disposable device made from precision engineered plastic components.

The Quick-Prep tubes feature a “notched dipstick” which delivers a known amount of stool sample into a tube, which is pre-filled with the appropriate extraction buffer. Excess stool is retained in the conical “cap” of the device, for simple disposal. The Quick-Prep tubes have been greatly appreciated by many of the company’s customers, who have commented that this is a quicker and far more pleasant method of preparing the stool extracts used to run the ScheBo Pancreatic Elastase 1 Stool Test, Tumor M2-PK Stool Test and Elastase 1 – Canine Test.