National STIQ Day 2022
National STIQ Day 2022
National STIQ Day 2022
14th January, National STIQ day was launched to get people thinking about the importance of sexual health and encourage everyone to get regular health checks.
More than 30 different bacteria, viruses and parasites are known to be transmitted through sexual contact. Eight of these pathogens are linked to the greatest incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STI’s). STI’s are spread predominantly by sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some STI’s can also be transmitted from mother-to-child during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
Any individual can catch an STI regardless of what age they are, their sexuality or how many sexual partners they have, as it only takes one sexual encounter to increase the risk of catching an infection. The importance of regular STI testing allows individuals to get peace of mind and take control of their sexual health as many infections don’t present symptoms and it’s advised that testing is required if individuals are concerned about their health, present symptoms or change sexual partner. Regular screening can aid in detecting an infection in the early stages and help to reduce the risk of such complications.
The increase in STI’s underline the need for urgent action which many reports have highlighted the need of ongoing inaction and development of strategies to improve sexual health. It has been widely noted by the CDC that over 20 million new STI’s are detected each year. (1) Public Health England also reported that 468,342 diagnoses of STIs had been reported in England in 2019 – a 5% increase from 2018 with a 26% increase in gonorrhoea infections, 10% increase in syphilis and 7% increase in the number of consultations at national sexual health services. It’s also widely noted that chlamydia testing, which is most common in young adults has declined by 13% since 2015 and 2% of all individuals tested had received a positive diagnosis. (2) (3)
Here at Randox, we offer solutions for clinical laboratories, point of care testing solutions and home STI testing kits for convenience and discretion. Randox provides the broadest STI testing menu on the market. Detecting 10 bacterial, viral, and protozoan infections, the STI test provides a comprehensive sexual health profile. The CE-marked STI Array provides the identification of co-infections, often in asymptomatic individuals and enable antibiotic stewardship.
The Randox test presents excellent precision, specificity, sensitivity and accuracy for STI diagnoses, which reduces the risk of false reporting and unnecessary confirmatory tests. The Randox simultaneous multiplex test means smaller sample volumes are required, enabling faster throughput and rapid patient diagnosis saving time and money for clinical and laboratories.
The Randox STI Multiplex test detects the following infections:
- Chlamydia trachomatis (CT)
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG)
- Trichomonas vaginalis (TV)
- Mycoplasma genitalium (MG)
- Treponema pallidum (Syphilis) (TP)
- Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)
- Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2)
- Haemophilus ducreyi (HD)
- Mycoplasma hominis (MH)
- Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU)
Does your laboratory or clinic carry out STI testing? Our molecular analyser, the Bosch Vivalytic and Evidence Investigator, powered by patented Biochip Array Technology, could be the diagnostic solution you need!
Solutions for the Laboratory
54 SAMPLES ● 1 TEST ● 10 INFECTIONS
The Evidence Investigator is a compact semi-automated benchtop analyser ideal for medium throughput laboratories.
- Sample Type: Swab or Urine
- Sample Volume: 300 μl
- Detection Method: Randox Biochip Technology (end-point PCR)
- Time to Result: 5 hours 30 minutes
STI Testing at the Point of Care
1 SAMPLE ● 1 TEST ● 10 INFECTIONS
The Bosch Vivalytic enables sample to answer, cartridge based molecular diagnostics at
the point of care. Powered by Randox Biochip Technology.
- Sample Type: Swab or Urine
- Sample Volume: 300 μl
- Detection Method: Randox Biochip Technology (end-point PCR)
- Time to Result: 2 hours 30 minutes
For more information about our STI Arrays or Vivalytic email: marketing@randox.com
- https://www.cdc.gov/std/life-stages-populations/adolescents-youngadults.htm
- https://www.tht.org.uk/news/rise-stis-underlines-need-urgent-action
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (who.int)
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Evaluation of Omicron Variant to Ensure Test Effectiveness
7th December 2021
Evaluating Omicron and Other SARS-CoV-2 Variants to Ensure Test Effectiveness
SARS-CoV-2, like all viruses, evolves over time through mutations, as it spreads and replicates. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with different sets of mutations, have been observed worldwide. Most changes have little impact on the virus’ properties. However, some may cause increased transmissibility, severity of disease or the ability to evade the host immune response. Surveillance of genetic variations is therefore crucial to identify those variants which pose a higher risk to human health.
Variants may impact the performance of current diagnostic approaches. This is why Randox continuously review public genomic databases to assess whether any emerging mutations overlap with the assay design and monitor assay performance as part of post-market surveillance efforts to ensure the coronavirus assays continue to meet the highest quality standards.
In light of the emergence of the new variant of concern detected in South Africa, Omicron (B.1.1.529), Randox have analysed all publicly available sequences of the variant to predict any impact of defining mutations on assay designs.
As the COVID-19 assays from Randox Laboratories Ltd. are designed using a dual-target approach (ORf1ab, E gene) to reduce the impact of genetic variation in the SARS-CoV-2 genome, detection of SARS-CoV-2 is not predicted to be affected by the currently known variants.
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 using the Vivalytic rapid RT-PCR tests, targeting the E gene sequence are not affected by the identified mutations. Assay performance is not predicted to be impaired by the current known variants.
Randox Laboratories Ltd., in collaboration with leading technology manufacturer Bosch Healthcare Solutions, have developed a range of COVID-19 testing solutions, providing clear and concise results in a timely manner, directly at the point of care. Randox is a distributor for Vivalytic platform and cartridges.
For all enquiries regarding our COVID-19 assays performance , please contact marketing@randox.com
Randox in the media
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COVID Contracts | Randox Statement
11th November 2021: COVID Contracts | Randox Statement
Randox states categorically that political lobbying played no role in the award of Covid contracts to the company. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) contracts to provide Covid-19 testing were awarded on merit to Randox as the largest healthcare diagnostic company from the UK. The entire process was transparent and compliant with government regulations in a time of national crisis.
Randox has almost 40 years experience in testing and diagnostics: it was one of the first companies in the world to develop a Covid-19 test and to have developed extensive laboratory, IT and logistic infrastructure to support large scale testing operations. The decision to award Covid-19 contracts was fully validated by the company’s performance and delivery under the terms of the contracts.
The company was awarded its initial Covid contract on 30 Mar 20 and, within a short period, had exceeded the initial Covid-19 testing capability of the entire NHS.
Subsequent DHSC planning required Randox to deliver 17,000 tests per day by the end of April and more beyond then. To facilitate and ultimately enable these extraordinary levels of delivery, Randox was temporarily allocated 5 extraction systems from universities in order to increase capacity. DHSC directed the Army to collect equipment, in line with their support for all Pillar 2 laboratories.
This was a pragmatic and transparent move by the DHSC to meet a critical national need to save lives and ease overwhelming pressure on the NHS. The extraction systems were returned once the systems ordered by Randox, against the backdrop of a global shortage of such equipment, had been delivered and installed.
Randox and its staff have striven tirelessly and innovatively to support the national Covid-19 testing effort. We are proud of our collective achievement at a time of crisis in being the only Pillar 2 laboratory to have reported in excess of 100,000 Covid-19 results in one day.
For all media enquiries, please contact Ian Monk on ian@ianmonk.com or +44 7970 026072 / + 44 203 011 1933
Randox in the media
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Why are Neutralising Antibody tests important now?
27 October 2021- Why are Neutralising Antibody tests important now?
Being prone to more frequent infections may mean that you have a weak immune system. With everything going on in the world, including COVID-19, this is important information that you need to know about yourself. As it stands, the pace of the vaccine booster rollout has slowed down and priority is given to people who are most vulnerable from developing a COVID-19 infection. This will offer those individuals the fullest protection against the virus this winter. According to John Roberts, from the COVID-19 Actuaries Response Group, “At the start of the booster campaign, the health secretary Sajid Javid said: ‘We will protect the most vulnerable through the winter months’. But at the current rate it is going to be well through winter before we get through those first groups.” This was stated on a BBC news article. (1)
This leads into the question that everybody is wondering…. Do we really need the booster vaccine? Infectious diseases expert, Professor Angus Dalgleish has commented during an interview on Good morning Britain that we should try another strategy. A strategy where we should test people’s immunity first to see if they need the booster vaccine. He stated, “It should not be difficult for one test to see what your immune response to your last vaccine is or if you have had very bad COVID, have you got a good immune response and do you need the booster”. (2)
Laith Jamal Abu-Raddad, an infectious-disease epidemiologist at Weill Cornell Medicine—Qatar in Doha has also stated in an article from Nature that “Wasting resources on boosters for those who are already protected against severe disease does not really make too much sense,” (3)
The Randox SARS-CoV-2 Neutralising Antibody tests detects antibody levels post-vaccination to determine eligibility for a booster vaccination. These tests utilise patented biochip technology to detect neutralising antibodies to the Wuhan and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants. There is a need for tests of this kind to provide an accurate estimate of immunity, monitor vaccine effectiveness and the frequency of post-vaccine breakthrough infections with variants of concern. Recent studies indicate that the delta variant is capable of re-infection even in fully vaccinated individuals and that a significant proportion of fully vaccinated individuals with breakthrough infections can transmit the virus to others.
The SARS-CoV-2 Neutralising Antibody tests are a quick and effective way to determine:
- Longevity of immune response with response to post-vaccine infection, and variants of concern.
- Population surveillance and testing of those at risk of sub-optimal vaccine response.
- Measure antibody levels post-vaccination to determine eligibility for a booster vaccination.
- Accurately detects antibodies that are capable of inhibiting virus replication and neutralizing the infectivity of the virus.
Want to know more?
For more information on SARS-CoV-2 Neutralising Antibody tests please visit the link below,
SARS-CoV-2 Neutralising Antibody Test | Randox Laboratories
Visit booking.randox.ie to book your COVID-19 antibody test today!
Alternatively contact us via email: marketing@randox.com
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Randox launch authentication app for Day 2 Lateral Flow tests for vaccinated international arrival
18th October 2021: Randox launch authentication app for Day 2 Lateral Flow tests for vaccinated international arrivals
Randox, the UK’s largest diagnostics company, today announces that it is launching the Randox CertiFly App, a mobile application designed to securely process and certify results for both pre departure and Day 2 lateral flow tests – the latter a requirement for vaccinated international arrivals in the UK from 24th October.
The app, which applies ID verification technology, is designed to simplify foreign travel and facilitate the efficient transfer of secure and verified information through three simple steps:
Step 1 – Download the Randox CertiFly App and scan your passport to register
Step 2 – Collect your sample using a Randox CertiFly lateral flow testing kit
Step 3 – Scan your result using the app and receive certificate in app and by email
The app, which is solely for use with Randox Certifly lateral flow tests, is free to download. The lateral flow tests, which are ordered from Randox and cost as little as £20, are then used in combination with the app to capture the individual’s ID and securely upload the test result. The identity of users will be validated by scanning passports into the system, with future versions of the app featuring facial recognition software to further increase security.
Available in just 15 minutes, test results are processed using Randox CertiFly’s AI software, before being confirmed manually by a healthcare professional. As applicable, a Day 2 or fit-to-fly certificate will then be issued to the user and stored in the app for easy access.
Each Randox CertiFly lateral flow testing kit has a unique single-use QR code that can be registered with the app. Testing kits, which can be purchased from the Randox Health website, include swab, extraction buffer tube, waste bag, tube holder, package insert and test cassette. The app is available now for iOS and Android devices.
Commenting on the announcement, Dr Peter FitzGerald CBE, Managing Director at Randox, said:
“COVID-19 has severely impacted the way that we travel but, thankfully, testing technology has been able to help the world open up again. At Randox, we are proud to have been at the heart of UK testing and we are continuously looking at ways to make improvements for our customers. Randox has been helping millions of passengers travel safely since the onset of the pandemic by providing innovative testing solutions, like the Randox CertiFly app, that fulfil testing requirements for those who need to travel, whilst keeping costs as low as possible.”
Alex Rusak, Randox VP Business Development, said:
“With Day 2 lateral flow test results a requirement for vaccinated international arrivals in the UK from 24th October, we are pleased to launch our first lateral flow test certification app. The features of the app maximise security and allow the efficient flow of accurate and secure information to provide customers with a verified results certificate, without the need for time-consuming and costly video consultations. With the ability to process more than 100,000 certificates in 24h, the Randox CertiFly App rapidly provides validated test results, with the ultimate goal of making sure that travel is accessible, affordable, and importantly, safe.”
Fintan O’Rourke, Head Of Global partnerships at CertiFly, added:
“We are encouraged to see testing policy adapt to make international travelling easier and we believe that it’s crucial for technology to adapt alongside this to keep the country as safe as possible. Technology plays a vital role in ensuring the integrity of COVID-19 testing and that’s why CertiFly has developed an app with Randox to reduce the risks associated with fraudulent testing. We have built in the same verification technology that banks use to eliminate identity fraud and a two-step validation process for test results, with AI analysis followed by verification from a healthcare professional. As restrictions evolve, is it important to maintain rigorous testing standards in support of the UK’s fight against COVID-19, and we are proud to be part of this.”
The Randox Certifly App is available to download for iOS and Android devices following purchase of a lateral flow test at covid.randox.com
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Randox strengthen partnership with Sheffield United by agreeing to become naming right partner of the widely-acclaimed Sheffield United Academy
08th October 2021 – Randox strengthen partnership with Sheffield United by agreeing to become naming right partner of the widely-acclaimed Sheffield United Academy
Sheffield United have today announced a further strengthening of their principal partnership with Randox. The healthcare giants have agreed to become naming right partners of the widely-acclaimed Sheffield United Academy.
Located at Shirecliffe, it is the base of the men’s, women’s and academy teams. The facility, since its opening its doors in the early 2000s, has seen the likes of Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire, David Brooks, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Aaron Ramsdale all progress through the academy ranks.
Established in 1982 in Northern Ireland, Randox is the largest healthcare diagnostics company from the UK and Ireland. In 2019 Randox manufactured over four billion tests and operated in over 145 countries. The company employs more than 2,500 staff, including more than 450 research scientists and engineers, with key facilities located in Co. Antrim and Co. Donegal.
Randox Managing Director Dr Peter FitzGerald CBE said: “We are very excited for the opportunity to extend our partnership by aligning Randox with the Sheffield United Academy. With almost 40 years of experience in the manufacture of world-leading medical diagnostics and comprehensive health check and sports science services, Randox is well positioned to assist in the development of the health, wellbeing and performance of these elite athletes. We look forward to working with the Academy and to lending our expertise to make further developments in cutting-edge sports science.”
United’s head of commercial, Paul Reeves, said: “This is a significant further investment from Randox and a long-term commitment to our next generation of players, both male and female. The academy plays an integral part within the club and it goes without question the rising importance of developing players of all ages to continue to compete on a global scale. We would like to thank Dr FitzGerald and his colleagues for their valued contribution.”
Paul added; “The newly-named Randox Health Academy has some exciting prospects on the horizon with the likes of Daniel Jebbison, Femi Seriki and Iliman Ndiaye all making their Premier League debuts at the end of the 20/21 season.”
Visit randoxhealth.com to find out more about their ground-breaking R&D, advanced health checks, and rapid COVID travel tests.
For press enquiries please contact Amy Millar in the Randox PR team on amy.millar@randox.com or 028 9442 2413
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World Heart Day 2021
World Heart Day 2021
World Heart Day – Raising awareness of Cardiovascular Diseases
World Heart Day was established by the World Heart Federation in collaboration with the World Health Organization to raise awareness of cardiovascular diseases.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world’s number one killer, causing over 18.6 million deaths per year, according to the World Heart Federation. 85% of these deaths are due to coronary heart diseases (e.g. heart attacks) and cerebrovascular diseases (e.g. strokes) and mostly affect low-and middle-income countries.
What are cardiovascular diseases?
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders relating to the heart and blood vessels and they include:
- coronary heart disease – disease of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle
- cerebrovascular disease – disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain
- peripheral arterial disease – disease of blood vessels supplying the arms and legs
- rheumatic heart disease – damage to the heart muscle and heart valves from rheumatic fever, caused by streptococcal bacteria
- congenital heart disease – malformations of heart structure existing at birth
- deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism – blood clots in the leg veins, which can dislodge and move to the heart and lungs
How can Randox help with these current global challenges
Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, is easier to treat when detected early. Here at Randox, we utilise innovative diagnostic tests for early risk assessment capable of diagnosing disease at the earliest possible stages, because we understand that “prevention is better than cure”.
Randox Laboratories is a world leader in innovative diagnostics with 40 years’ experience and a leading provider of diagnostic reagents for the assessment of cardiovascular disease risk. Randox offer an extensive menu of cardiac biomarkers within the cardiology reagents panel including:
Risk Assessment
- CK-MB – useful in patients with chest pain; Creatine Kinase is an enzyme produced in many different types of cells, of which high levels indicate muscle trauma or damage.
- Myoglobin – a small protein which leaks out of muscle cells after injury, is also considered a biomarker for the detection of Myocardinal Infraction.
- Routine lipid tests to determine the patient’s cholesterol and triglyceride levels – HDL Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol and Triglycerides
- Independent risk assessment tests such as sdLDL Cholesterol and Lipoprotein(a) to determine any genetic factors which may increase their risk of CVD. Please note, this is necessary even for patients who have good cholesterol levels
- Secondary tests, such as High Sensitivity CRP, in addition to risk assessment markers and lipid evaluation – secondary tests are important in predicting future cardiac events of individuals with no previous history of CVD and those deemed healthy because of primary tests; approximately half of all heart attacks occur in patients classified as low risk. In addition, they can also be used to evaluate the risk of a recurrent cardiac event
- Homocysteine – elevated levels of homocysteine have been linked to various disease states including CVD. Extremely high levels are found in patients with homocystinuria, of which many suffer from early arteriosclerosis.
More information
If you are a clinician or lab interested in our Cardiology & Lipids Panel, we have a wealth of resources available:
Download our Reagents Brochure
Download our Cardiology & Lipid Testing Brochure
If you would like to get in touch with a Sales representative please email us reagents@randox.com
Want to know more about Randox?
Contact us or visit our homepage to view more.
SARS-CoV-2 Vascular & Multi-System Dysfunction Whitepaper
30 June 2021
SARS-CoV-2 Vascular & Multi-System Dysfunction Whitepaper Download
COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. While many of whom become infected by the disease will experience mild to moderate cold or flu-like symptoms, those with health complications – such as autoimmune diseases, asthma, heart disease and diabetes – are at risk of developing serious illness and adverse outcomes.
As of September 2021, over 228 million COVID-19 cases have been confirmed worldwide, with an estimated one in six patients experiencing complications which could be life threatening, with over £116 billion spent by the UK government alone on measures to combat the disease. This drastic spending has been mirrored across the globe, with the significant economic burden expected to be suffered for generations to come.
The whitepaper provides a brief overview of the COVID-19 pandemic, before discussing vascular abnormalities and associated complications brought on by the virus, such as multi-system disfunction, acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS) and hepatic, renal & cardiovascular function.
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Randox supports Northern Ireland travellers to the Algarve with essential COVID-19 PCR ‘test-to-return’ service
21st May 2021 – Randox supports Northern Ireland travellers to the Algarve with essential COVID-19 PCR ‘test-to-return’ service
The NI Executive has today announced that, from 24th May, travellers from Portugal to Northern Ireland must arrive with a negative COVID-19 PCR test. This varies from travellers to England, where a lateral flow test is also a possibility. Randox, the UK’s largest COVID-19 PCR testing provider, have recently announced that travellers to the Algarve will be able to purchase a COVID-19 “test-to-return” kit. In a first for the industry, NI holidaymakers will then be able to have their self-collected samples promptly flown from their holiday destination to Randox’s laboratories in Antrim for gold standard PCR testing. Results are emailed to the traveller ready in time for their flight home.
In response to high demand from British holidaymakers to visit Portugal, Randox has partnered with the largest laboratory chain in the Algarve to offer holidaymakers to the region this new quick and easy solution. Travellers simply purchase and take their ‘test-to-return’ kit to Portugal and, at their convenience, self-collect their sample 3 days before the return flight. Travellers drop their sample at one of the listed partner laboratory sites and samples are then flown to Randox’s testing facilities in Antrim. Customers receive their results the next day. The partner laboratory has many convenient sites across the Algarve, including at Lagos, Portimao, Lagoa, Silves, Albufera, Loule, Faro, Olaho and Quartiera.
The PCR test-to-return service will be available to travellers returning on flights from the Algarve from the 7th June and will cost £60 per testing kit. As a package travellers from NI can also purchase from Randox PCR tests for pre-departure from the UK and the required Day 2 test on return.
Sophie Boyd, Randox Operations Manager, said;
“As the UK gradually opens up to international travel, we are delighted to be able to offer those visiting the Algarve the ability to have a fast and reliable PCR ‘test-to-return’ service, which means travellers have one less thing to worry about and can concentrate on enjoying their holiday. This is particularly relevant for travellers from Northern Ireland. Through our partner network we also have support for the traveller in the Algarve, should they need it.
“Randox is now able to process 500,000 tests a day for international travel – more than any other laboratory in Europe – and to date our laboratories have processed over 13 million tests. We are working hard to support the international fight against the pandemic by offering testing services that allow people to live their lives as normally as possible.
Randox, with almost 40 years of international diagnostics experience, has been at the forefront of COVID-19 testing since the outset of the pandemic. With proven testing capability and well-established logistics and customer support services, Randox are strongly placed to support the return to international travel.
Randox, with almost 40 years of international diagnostics experience, has been at the forefront of COVID-19 testing since the outset of the pandemic. With proven testing capability and well-established logistics and customer support services, Randox are strongly placed to support the return to international travel.
For further information on our COVID testing services please contact the Randox COVID Customer Support team on covidcustomersupport@randox.com or 0800 2545 201.
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9th April 2021: 12 million tests on the National Testing Programme
09TH APRIL 2021: THE 12 MILLION MILESTONE
We are pleased to let you know that on 09th April 2021, Randox processed its 12 millionth sample within the UK COVID-19 National Testing Programme.
That’s an incredible 12 million samples processed by our dedicated and talented staff.
Our staff are our best asset and have risen to the challenge this pandemic has created.
They have worked hard and flexibly, been creative and innovative, and pulled together as a team to make an impact in the fight against COVID-19.
We are very proud of their efforts and teamwork.
Let us once again say thank you to each and every member of Team Randox, for the efforts they have made.
What we do at Randox remains vital to the national and global management of COVID-19 and our work is making a real and positive difference.
We continue to work hard and improve, for the sake of our family, friends and communities.
For further information please email randoxpr@randox.com
