¡¡¡¡BENICIA, Calif., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- AcroMetrix announced today the launch of the PeliSpy Chagas Positive Control. This external run control is intended to provide the laboratory a means of estimating precision and reproducibility of assays that detect antibodies to the Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) parasite, the cause of Chagas disease.

    Chagas disease is a potentially deadly infection which often does not exhibit symptoms for up to 40 years. It is now endemic to most of Central and South America, with an increasing number of new cases reported in the US every year. Some experts estimate as many as 100,000 legal immigrants to the US and Canada are unknowingly infected with T. cruzi. The parasite may be spread through contact with insect feces, congenital transmission, organ transplantation, or blood transfusion.

    Routine use of the PeliSpy Chagas Positive external run control can help laboratories to monitor the day-to-day performance of their Chagas assay, including consistency between reagent lots and operator variation. PeliSpy Chagas Positive Controls are packaged ready-to-use and are developed to closely mimic an actual patient sample. This product is for Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

    About AcroMetrix

    AcroMetrix, with facilities in Benicia, California and Alkmaar, the Netherlands, provides a comprehensive line of molecular and serological diagnostic quality control products that assist laboratories in meeting current government regulations regarding quality. AcroMetrix maintains this leadership role by consistently developing innovative standards, external run controls, and validation kits for molecular and serological testing in blood screening and clinical diagnostic laboratories. For more information on AcroMetrix please visit the company web site at http://www.acrometrix.com.

    Source: AcroMetrix
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