Microgen Bioproducts is introducing to the UK, the BACTfish™ Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation (FISH) products for the rapid and specific detection of bacteria in clinical samples. Conventional methods of identification for Sepsis infection involves the culture and isolation of an organism, which can take several days and may be too slow for a patient with deteriorating Sepsis. BACTfish™ offers identification of Sepsis infection within 1 hour of gram staining; this faster turnaround time can have a significant impact on management of patients with such infections. The faster diagnosis permits earlier implementation of appropriate antimicrobial treatment, leading to significantly reduced Sepsis related mortality and potentially decreasing the occurrence of antibiotic resistance.

In addition to the broad screening for Sepsis-causing organism it is possible to screen for Staphylococcus aureus and simultaneously determine if coagulase negative Staphylococci are present in blood culture. All kits contain a process control probe.

BACTfish™ Sepsis kits are available as follows:

• Sepsis-Gram positive kit
  
• Sepsis-Gram negative kit
  
• Candida Identification kit
  
• Staph Screening kit
  

BACTfish™ products are also available for Cystic Fibrosis microbiology and meningitis diagnosis. The BACTfish™ method does not require amplification and, apart from a fluorescent microscope , the only equipment required is the BACTwave™; a novel, propriety and inexpensive microwave based thermocycler.