FITkit is an immunological test for measuring natural rubber latex

Latex

Latex is the stable dispersion of polymer microparticles in an aqueous medium. Latexes may be natural or synthetic.Latex as found in nature is a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants . It is a complex emulsion consisting of proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins,...

 (NRL) allergens from a variety of rubber products, such as gloves.

Description

FITkit is a method for quantification of the major natural rubber latex (NRL) specific allergens: Hev b 1, Hev b 3, Hev b 5 and Hev b 6.02. The sum of four major allergens shows the allergenic potential of NRL products like gloves, condoms, teats, balloons etc. These tests are based on the enzyme immunometric assay technique and use specific monoclonal

Monoclonal

Monoclonal cells are defined as a group of cells produced from a single ancestral cell by repeated cellular replication. Thus they can be said to form a single "clone". The process of replication can occur in vivo, or may be stimulated in vitro for laboratory manipulations...

 antibodies developed against the clinically relevant latex allergens present in NRL products.
FITkit is known also under scientific names EIA (enzymo immunoassay) or IEMA (immuno-enzymometric assay) .
The main value of FITkit technology is the focus only on those NRL allergens that are responsible for the majority of NRL sensitivity and allergy cases. Based on FITkit results, allergenicity potential of the tested product can be easily assessed.
FITkit technology is compliant with the ASTM International standard D7427-08

FITkit is a trade mark of Icosagen AS (formerly Quattromed Ltd

Quattromed

Quattromed Ltd is one of the leading biotechnology companies in Estonia providing medical diagnostics services and performing custom research programs for the biopharmaceutical industry. As of 2 March 2009, Icosagen AS is the new business name of the former Quattromed Ltd.-Profile:Quattromed was...

).

External links

• FITkit and latex allergen testing offered by Icosagen AS.

See also

• Latex allergy
  Latex allergy
  Latex allergy is a medical term encompassing a range of allergic reactions to natural rubber latex.-Type I:The most serious and rare form, type I is an immediate and potentially life-threatening reaction, not unlike the severe reaction some people have to bee stings...
  
  
• Monoclonal antibodies
  Monoclonal antibodies
  Monoclonal antibodies are monospecific antibodies that are the same because they are made by identical immune cells that are all clones of a unique parent cell....
  
  
• Quattromed Ltd
  Quattromed
  Quattromed Ltd is one of the leading biotechnology companies in Estonia providing medical diagnostics services and performing custom research programs for the biopharmaceutical industry. As of 2 March 2009, Icosagen AS is the new business name of the former Quattromed Ltd.-Profile:Quattromed was...
  
  
• Icosagen AS