Comparison of the ADVIA Centaur and Abbott AxSYM immunoassay systems for a routine diagnostic virology laboratory.
BACKGROUND
Routine diagnostic laboratories are confronted with an ever-increasing workload with limited resources. Automation has provided some solutions to these challenges particularly high through put analysers such as the Abbott AxSYM.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to compare the performance of two automated immunoassay systems in a diagnostic virology laboratory. Samples previously tested using the Abbott AxSYM were tested with a recently introduced immunoassay analyser, the Bayer ADVIA Centaur, for six virology analytes: HBsAg, anti-HBc total, anti-HBc IgM, anti-HBs, anti-HCV and anti-HIV1/O/2.


METHODS
This study was a retrospective analysis of stored serum samples previously tested on the Abbott AxSYM. Samples giving discrepant results were tested by other alternative immunoassays and re-tested on the Abbott AxSYM in the same freeze-thaw cycle.


RESULTS
Although the sensitivities of the two automated immunoassays were similar there was improved specificity demonstrated for anti-HIV and anti-HCV when using the ADVIA Centaur assays. The low background signals allowed resolution of samples previously shown to have indeterminate results for anti-HIV antibody in the AxSYM assay. In addition, samples shown to have Abbott AxSYM anti-HCV results that could not be confirmed by RIBA and HCV molecular methods were shown to be negative by the ADVIA Centaur assay.
Taylor
Paul
P
Diagnostic Virology, St Mary's NHS Trust, Jefferiss Wing, Winsland St, London W2 1NY, UK. paul.taylor@st-marys.nhs.uk
Pickard
Graham
G
Gammie
Alistair
A
Atkins
Mark
M
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis; D001322:Autoanalysis; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D007075:Immunoglobulin M