Viracor-IBT Laboratories to Present at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s Annual Meeting

Lenexa, Kansas and Lee’s Summit, Missouri – Nov. 4, 2009 – Scientists from Viracor-IBT Laboratories have been selected to provide four oral presentations and one poster presentation at this year’s American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s Annual Scientific Meeting in Miami, Florida. Michelle Altrich, PhD, HCLD (ABB), and Michael Ling, PhD, will present data on a wide range of topics including Filaggrin, Pneumococcal Antibody Avidity, Chronic Urticaria, Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions and T-Cell Excision Circles.

“We are pleased to participate in the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s annual meeting,” said Maureen Loftus, chief business officer for Viracor-IBT. “Being selected to present our work among this group is a true testament to the emphasis our company places on scientific expertise, quality and research and development, and we are delighted to share and discuss our findings.”

The five presentations Altrich and Ling will conduct are as follows:

  • Development and Validation of an Assay to Detect the Loss of Function Mutations in Filaggrin: Filaggrin is an important protein in the skin; when there is a mutation in the filaggrin gene, the skin barrier can become compromised. Patients with these mutations are more susceptible to atopic dermatitis or eczema. These patients are also more susceptible to complications associated with these diseases. ViraCor-IBT is the first lab to develop a test that can detect six loss-of-function mutations in Filaggrin. Previously, tests only recognized two mutations. The presentation will cover how the lab developed and validated the test and will take place at 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, 2009 during Concurrent Session “C” in room B217-218.
  • Evaluation of Pneumococcal Antibody Avidity and Concentration in Patients with Suspected Immunodeficiency: Assessment of patients with recurrent infections for suspected immunodeficiency routinely involves the use of vaccine challenge tests. This presentation will cover a new way to evaluate the immune system so a physician can better determine if the patient has mounted a significant response to the pneumococcal vaccine. The presentation will take place at 2:15 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2009 during Concurrent Session “C” in room B217-B218.
  • Development and Validation of a Test to Measure IgG Antibodies to the IgE Receptor I Protein for Evaluation of Autoimmune Chronic Urticaria: Approximately 35-50% of chronic urticaria (CU), or chronic hives, cases have an autoimmune basis. Functional basophil-based histamine release assays provide useful information on autoimmune CU, allowing physicians to determine what antibody a patient has. This presentation will cover how ViraCor-IBT’s newly developed ELISA Binding assay may complement functional CU assays with higher overall sensitivity for evaluating autoimmune CU. The presentation will take place at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, 2009 during Concurrent Session “C” in room B217-218.
  • Development and Validation of a T cell Activation Assay to Evaluate Delayed (Type IV) Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions: Diagnosis of hypersensitivity reactions to drugs is a major challenge in clinical practice. This presentation will cover the development and validation of an assay that will aid in the evaluation of patients who have suffered adverse drug reactions, particularly skin reactions. The presentation will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, 2009 during Concurrent Session “B” in room B214-215.
  • Qualifications of T-Cell Excision Circles (TREC) for Diagnosis of Immunodeficiency and Post-Bone Marrow Transplant Monitoring: This poster will demonstrate how TREC can be quantified in bone marrow transplant recipients. Quantification of TREC can provide useful information on T-cell reconstruction and aid in the evaluation of newborns with recurrent infections for suspected primary immunodeficiency. For more information on ViraCor-IBT Laboratories and the company’s testing menu, please visit www.viracor-ibt.com.
    About Viracor-IBT Laboratories

Viracor Laboratories and IBT Laboratories merged in June 2009 to form a unique specialty diagnostics laboratory. The combined company specializes in cellular, immunology, and allergy testing services as well as molecular assays that detect and monitor microbial pathogens. The company serves more than 4,000 physicians, hospitals, commercial laboratories and biopharmaceutical companies nationwide.

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