Portable System Detects Endotoxins

Suitable for point-of-use testing, the hand-held system provides quantitative results in 15 minutes, in contrast to current methods, which take from 45 minutes to several days. The PTS utilizes disposable cartridges that are pre-loaded with reagents and a portable, handheld reader to provide quantitative endotoxin amounts. In addition, the simple one-button operation requires minimal technical training and the data can be stored in the PTS, downloaded to a computer, and/or printed.

Charles River Laboratories (Wilmington, MA, USA) has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the sale and marketing of Endosafe-PTS, the portable endotoxin detection system. The PTS system will be used in hospitals, dialysis clinics, nuclear medicine, stem cell research, and planetary protection.

The source of endotoxins is the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria. Individuals exposed to a heavy dose of endotoxin can develop fever and experience reduced pulmonary function capacity. Endotoxins can also cause asthma in adults.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA, Washington, DC, USA) recently used the Endosafe-PTS to monitor the environment for microbial contamination during the construction of the Mars exploration rovers "Spirit” and "Opportunity.” PTS units are scheduled to be flown to the International Space Station to perform environmental monitoring for microbial contamination. Future applications of PTS may include detecting signs of microbial life on Mars.



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Charles River Laboratories