MedEx H. Pylori Antibody Rapid Test Cassette Dosage/Direction for Use

Specimen Collection and Preparation: The H. pylori Antibody Rapid Test Cassette can be performed using whole blood (from venipuncture or fingerstick), serum, or plasma.
To collect Fingerstick Whole Blood specimens: Wash the patient's hand with soap and warm water or clean with an alcohol swab. Allow to dry.
Massage the hand without touching the puncture site by rubbing down the hand towards the fingertip of the middle or ring finger.
Puncture the skin with a sterile lancet. Wipe away the first sign of blood.
Gently rub the hand from wrist to palm to finger to form a rounded drop of blood over the puncture site.
Add the Fingerstick Whole Blood specimen to the test by using a capillary tube: Touch the end of the capillary tube to the blood until filled to approximately 75 μL. Avoid air bubbles.
Place the bulb onto the top end of the capillary tube, then squeeze the bulb to dispense the whole blood to the specimen area of the test cassette.
Add the Fingerstick Whole Blood specimen to the test by using hanging drops: Position the patient's finger so that the drop of blood is just above the specimen well ofthe test cassette.
Allow 3 hanging drops of fingerstick whole blood to fall into the center of the specimen area on the test cassette, or move the patient's finger so that the hanging drop touches the center of the specimen area. Avoid touching the finger directly to the specimen area.
Separate serum or plasma from blood as soon as possible to avoid hemolysis. Use only clear non-hemolyzed specimens.
Testing should be performed immediately after the specimens have been collected. Do not leave the specimens at room temperature for prolonged periods. Serum and plasma specimens may be stored at 2-8°C for up to 3 days. For long-term storage, specimens should be kept below -20°C. Whole blood collected by venipuncture should be stored at 2-8°C if the test is to be run within 2 days of collection. Do not freeze whole blood specimens. Whole blood collected by fingerstick should be tested immediately.
Bring specimens to room temperature prior to testing. Frozen specimens must be completely thawed and mixed well prior to testing. Specimens should not be frozen and thawed repeatedly.
If specimens are to be shipped, they should be packed in compliance with local regulations covering the transportation of etiologic agents.
Directions for Use: Allow the test, specimen, buffer, and/or controls to reach room temperature (15-30°C) prior to testing.
1. Bring the pouch to room temperature before opening it. Remove the test cassette from the sealed pouch and use it as soon as possible.
2. Place the cassette on a clean and level surface.
For Serum or Plasma specimen: Hold the dropper vertically and transfer 3 drops of serum or plasma (approximately 75 μL) to the specimen well of test cassette and start the timer.
For Venipuncture Whole Blood specimen: Hold the dropper vertically and transfer 3 drops of whole blood (approximately 75 μL) to the specimen well, then add 1 drop of buffer (approximately 40 μL), and start the timer.
For Fingerstick Whole Blood specimen: To use a capillary tube: Fill the capillary tube and transfer approximately 75 μL of fingerstick whole blood specimen to the specimen area of test cassette, then add 1 drop of buffer (approximately 40 μL) and start the timer.
To use hanging drops: Allow 3 hanging drops of fingerstick whole blood specimen (approximately 75 μL) to fall into the specimen area of test cassette, then add 1 drop of buffer (approximately 40 μL) and start the timer.
3. Wait for the colored line(s) to appear. Read results at 10 minutes. Do not interpret theresult after 20 minutes.
Interpretation of Results: POSITIVE: *Two colored lines appear. One colored line should be in the control region (C) and another colored line should be in the test region (T).
*NOTE: The intensity of the color in the test line region (T) will vary depending on the concentration of H. pylori antibody present in the specimen. Therefore, any shade of color in the test region (T) should be considered positive.
NEGATIVE: One colored line appears in the control region (C). No apparent colored line appears in the test region (T).
INVALID: Control line fails to appear. Insufficient specimen volume or incorrect procedural techniques are the most likely reasons for control line failure. Review the procedure and repeat the test with a new test cassette. If the problem persists, discontinue using the test kit immediately and contact the local distributor. (See figure.)

Click on icon to see table/diagram/image

Quality Control: A procedural control is included in the test. A colored line appearing in the control region (C) is the internal procedural control. It confirms sufficient specimen volume and correct procedural technique. Control standards are not supplied with this kit; however, it is recommended that positive and negative controls be tested as a good laboratory practice to confirm the test procedure and to verify proper test performance.
Limitations: The H. pylori Antibody Rapid Test Cassette (Whole Blood/Serum/Plasma) is for in vitro diagnostic use only. The test should be used for the detection of H. pylori antibodies in whole blood, serum, or plasma specimens only. Neither the quantitative value nor the rate ofincrease in H. pylori antibody concentration can be determined by this qualitative test.
The H. pylori Antibody Rapid Test Cassette (Whole Blood/Serum/Plasma) will only indicate the presence of H. pylori antibodies in the specimen and should not be used as the sole criteria for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection.
As with all diagnostic tests, all results must be interpreted together with other clinical information available to the physician.
If the test result is negative and clinical symptoms persist, additional testing using other clinical methods is recommended. A negative result does not at any time preclude the possibility of H. pylori infection.