EKF expands geographical reach of PCT test for early sepsis detection

EKF Diagnostics, the global in vitro diagnostics company, announces expanding its distribution of its Procalcitonin LiquiColor® Test into Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the APAC regions. Procalcitonin (PCT) is a marker for bacterial infection and sepsis, a condition that has grown in awareness recently. PCT is now widely recognized as an essential adjunct marker in sepsis diagnosis, which aids in the differentiation between viral and bacterial infections.

Sepsis can quickly develop into severe sepsis and septic shock – conditions associated with signs of end-stage organ damage and hypotension. At this stage, the risk of death is high and increases drastically the longer the initiation of treatment is delayed. However, if a patient receives antimicrobial therapy within the first hour of diagnosis, their chances of survival are close to 80%. This short window is often called ‘ the golden hour.’

EKF’s Stanbio Chemistry PCT assay can be used with other tests to assess sepsis’s initial severity within the golden hour rapidly. It provides quantitative results within ten minutes, helping physicians monitor treatment and track improvements over time. The test is CE marked and will shortly receive FDA approval. It is an open-channel immunoturbidimetric assay that can run with multiple sample types, providing a cost-effective solution for many hospital laboratories.

“We have started to see significant interest in Asia Pacific for PCT.  Here we are working closely with three major distributors covering the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam to introduce PCT into hospitals,” said Trevor McCarthy, EKF’s Sales Manager. “As awareness about the severity of sepsis and the importance of early detection grows, we anticipate more and more interest globally in this product. FDA approval will help us build our brand in the Asian market and further afield.”

EKF Diagnostics’s Stanbio Chemistry portfolio is a broad range of liquid-stable reagents, calibrators, standards, and controls. LiquiColor® and Liqui-UV® reagents are designed for maximum stability and ease of use and are optimized for today’s chemistry analyzers.  In addition to its PCT test for sepsis, EKF continues to build on its successful range of esoteric reagents, which also includes Glycated Serum Protein (GSP) LiquiColor® assay and Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB) LiquiColor® reagent for diabetes care.

For more information on EKF Diagnostics and its Stanbio Chemistry range, please see www.ekfdiagnostics.com.