Evaluation of the BÜHLMANN fCAL® turbo Test at City Hospital Triemli in Zurich

The City Hospital Triemli wanted to optimize the workflow in the laboratory as well as the referral service for Calprotectin testing. The BÜHLMANN fCAL^® turbo assay offers an essential expanded measuring range from 20 to 8`000 µg/g compared to our former ELISA method that had a cut-off at 600 µg/g. The fCAL turbo assay is suited for single determinations in random access mode. Now we can provide our Gastroenterologists with Calprotectin results 1h after sample receipt. Before we had to batch the samples and performed the Calprotectin ELISA twice per week. The expense factor also plays a major role: compared to the ELISA method we were able to reduce the costs by using the random access mode.

The implementation of the fCAL turbo assay on the Roche Cobas^® c501 device was very easy and worked smoothly. The adaption was performed in conjunction with our device specialist as well as both companies BÜHLMANN and Roche. After only 1h of break, we could restart our routine work!

The BÜHLMANN fCAL^® turbo assay is very easy, fast, flexible, and feasible at any time. We also see big advantages in the pre-analytics: previously, we had to store the stool samples for 5 days before extraction. Now we extract each sample right after receipt and after centrifugation for 10 min at 3`000 g we can easily load the extract on the device; 10 minutes later we have the result. The calibration is stable for 4-6 weeks. According to our quality assurance, we measure the low and the high control daily and both controls are always within range.

We are using the BÜHLMANN CALEX^® Cap extraction device. The pre-filled tubes are ready-to-use and the extraction is performed in three easy steps: 1. Sampling of the stool with the pin, 2. Placing of the sampling pin back into funnel, pushing it back until it „clicks“ and dissolving the sample using a Vortex, and 3. Centrifugation for 10 min – the CALEX tube is now ready for the instrument. The extraction with the CALEX^® Cap is fast, easy, and clean.

At first, we were nervous about measuring stool extracts on our clinical chemistry analyzer. Therefore we critically reviewed all our other clinical chemistry parameters on the Roche Cobas^® c501 after we had introduced the fCAL turbo assay. No interferences or clotting problems were observed because the centrifuged extracts are used that are free from undigested fibres.

Certainly; the BÜHLMANN fCAL^® turbo assay eased our routine work in the laboratory tremendously and improved our service for senders: the results are reliable and match the clinical data. The flexible and fast determination in random access mode is the perfect solution for our laboratory that guarantees a result within 1h after sample receipt. The extraction using CALEX^® Cap is clean, fast, and efficient. Reagents and calibrators are stable; both daily measured controls are always within range. Monitoring of IBD is more accurate now because of the extended measuring range from 20 µg/g to 8,000 µg/g.

The service and support were excellent during consultation period and the implementation of fCAL turbo assay on our laboratory instrument worked smoothly. The assay has been in routine use for a year now and we have absolutely no problems; that´s why we have had no need for further support by BÜHLMANN. We are very satisfied.