- n external quality assessment product used to verify the performance of near-patient respiratory diagnostic tests. Developed through a partnership between Microbix Biosystems and Sekisui Diagnostics, this panel is primarily designed to validate and support the workflow of the Aptitude Metrix® COVID/Flu Test
Uses
- Workflow Verification:
- Monitors the entire molecular diagnostic workflow, including pre-analytical specimen collection, sample elution, nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and target detection
- Accuracy Monitoring:
- Serves as a daily external quality control to monitor the precision and accuracy of Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT)
- Variant Surveillance Validation:
- Ensures that antigen or molecular-based testing assays are capable of accurately identifying specific Influenza A strains, specifically focusing on the H3 subtype (such as H3N2) alongside other prominent respiratory targets
- Operator Training & Competency:
- Utilized by medical facilities and clinical laboratories to onboard new staff, evaluate user performance, and fulfill regulatory compliance requirements
Features
- Multiplex Targets:
- Contains non-infectious, inactivated whole-genome nucleic acids mimicking patient samples for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A (H3 variant), Influenza B, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
- Two-Swab Configuration:
- The kit includes desiccated positive and negative control swabs built to comprehensively monitor test performance bounds
- FLOQSwab® Matrix:
- Formulated on specialized Copan® FLOQSwabs® to mimic an authentic clinical sample matrix
- Cross-Platform and Media Elution:
- While optimized for the Metrix system, it can be eluted into a broad choice of user-specified transport media, displaying consistent production-lot performance
- Ambient Storage Stability:
- Designed for storage under standard room temperatures or refrigeration between 2–30°C
Benefits
- Ensures Patient Safety:
- Because the controls are fully inactivated, they are completely safe and non-hazardous to laboratory technicians while reliably simulating actual live patient specimens
- Point-of-Care (POC) Optimization:
- The dry swab format removes complex liquid handling, making it perfect for rapid, near-patient environments like clinics, pharmacies, and small diagnostic labs
- Robust Supply Chain Alignment:
- Room-temperature stability significantly lowers logistics costs by removing the need for strict, expensive cold-chain shipping or deep-freezer storage
- Epidemiological Relevance:
- Incorporating the H3 strain ensures testing facilities have a reliable benchmark to capture seasonal variants of Influenza A that may otherwise bypass weaker testing protocols
