Here are the top articles from March 2025 showcasing our products:

• The first study evaluated the performance of the Xpert® Carba-R assay, a real-time PCR-based test for detecting carbapenemase (CPE) genes directly from rectal swabs using the FecalSwab™ collection device. The Italian researchers found that 200 μL of the FecalSwab™ sample medium provided reliable Ct values with fewer invalid samples than traditional methods, with a detection limit for the CPE genes ranging from 4.7 × 10³ to 6.8 × 10³ CFU/mL. Storage conditions were also evaluated, revealing improved performance at room temperature after 16 hours compared to storage at 4 °C. The study concluded that FecalSwab™ could enhance CPE screening by facilitating both molecular and cultural methods with a single sampling.
• Prof Cristino and her team are the authors of the second study proposing an environmental SARS-CoV-2 surface routine monitoring approach for a rapid and effective evaluation of surface hygienic conditions and the effectiveness of sanitization measures. The researchers collected surface samples using SRK® and compared three molecular techniques: Reverse Transcription Loop-mediated isothermal AMPlification (RT-LAMP,), Reverse-Transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Considering the overall properties of each technique, this study suggests using RT-LAMP as an effective method to screen negative from positive surfaces. In the event of a positive outcome, a sensitive, quantitative test such as ddPCR should be used to confirm the result.
• The third study is a collaboration between the US and Switzerland aimed at identifying the optimal processing method for tongue swabs in the Xpert Ultra assay for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Four methods utilizing Xpert Sample Reagent (SR) combined with varying concentrations of Tris–EDTA–Tween were compared against treatment with SR alone and a standard heat inactivation protocol. Swabs from volunteers without TB were placed in test buffers spiked with known amounts of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to evaluate the performance of each method, indicating that swabs processed with a 1:1 diluted SR buffer had the lowest detection limit. While these findings highlight the potential of optimized tongue swab processing methods, this research emphasizes the importance of refining sample preparation techniques to enhance the sensitivity and reliability of TB diagnostics using tongue swabs.

Read the full studies below:

In an exclusive interview, Patrick Wirth, CEO of BAMOS AG—a leading Swiss laboratory specializing in microbiological and physicochemical analysis—shared insights into the transformative impact of the Cyclone automation system on the company’s operations.

Set for excellence

In the interview, Patrick Wirth discussed how Cyclone streamlined workflows while maintaining the high-quality standards BAMOS AG is known for. Moreover, he explained how Copan Newlab’s automation for microbiology quality control reduced human error and enhanced process consistency.

As BAMOS AG continues to expand its service portfolio and embrace technological advancements, Patrick remains optimistic about the future of laboratory testing and food safety. “Automation is not just about saving time; it’s about raising standards and staying ahead of industry challenges,” he concluded.

With tools like Cyclone paving the way, BAMOS AG is set to lead the change in delivering state-of-the-art analytics for the food and dairy industries.

Download and read the full interview!

Today, we unveil a new vision and mission, marking a milestone for Copan and declaring the company goals for both the near and the distant future.

We aim to make a universal approach to health possible.

By conceiving the most advanced life sciences solutions, we empower professionals to tackle global health challenges and bridge the gap between individuals and the healthcare system. Thanks to the deep connection with the people behind the professionals, we promote a comprehensive approach to health and safety.

Our aspiration, our purpose

Revising Copan’s vision and mission means rediscovering and reinforcing our values and sharing them with customers, partners, and collaborators. That’s why we wanted to rephrase them in a statement that reflected Copan’s global, cross-cutting expertise and growth. The key word, then, is Universal.

Universal because:

• We express our value in approaching clinical microbiology in its entirety, from collection to diagnosis.
• We have expanded our impact by embracing 360-degree diagnostics, offering innovative solutions to professionals and patients.
• We partner with leading diagnostic players worldwide, empowering results that were never achievable before.
• As the patient’s first and sole point of contact, we strive to develop innovative, patient-centric solutions tailored to the patient’s unique needs.
• Wherever there is a sample, there is a laboratory—and our products connect them, regardless of the field.

Discussions about healthcare are limiting for us, Copan, as we strive to enhance overall health instead. This new vision and mission will serve as the core of Copan’s communication and the foundation of our work in the years to come.

Here’s the study we selected for the second edition of 2025’s Microbiology time:

• Let’s start with a British study assessing the diagnostic reliability of two POC molecular diagnostic tests (Xpert® Mpox and STANDARD™ M10 MPX/OPX) for detecting the monkeypox virus. This study analyzed respiratory and skin lesion swabs from mpox and COVID-19 patients and compared the results from the two platforms. The findings indicated that the Xpert® Mpox test has superior sensitivity and specificity for both sample types compared to the STANDARD™ M10 MPX/OPX, which showed lacking clinical accuracy with upper respiratory samples. The researchers suggested that using respiratory swabs within the first three days of symptoms could enhance the accuracy of monkeypox diagnosis.
• The second study investigated the acceptability and performance of tongue swabbing as a tool to detect tuberculosis (TB) and resistance to the drug Rifampicin. Of 399 survey respondents, everyone said they were comfortable collecting their tongue swabs, with only minimal discomfort reported. By analyzing more than 300 samples, the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra test on tongue swabs showed 78.1% sensitivity and 100% specificity for TB detection, with better performance in individuals with higher bacterial loads and lower in HIV-positive individuals. The tongue swab test showed 100% accuracy in detecting RIF resistance. Although tongue swabs are less sensitive than sputum, their ease of use and high acceptability make them valuable for molecular TB testing, reducing the burden on healthcare workers and increasing access to testing.
• One of the main challenges in diagnosing PD is the heterogeneity of its symptoms, which makes finding reliable biomarkers crucial. Currently, the most definitive method for diagnosing PD involves examining brain tissue post-mortem. A new test called the seed amplification assay (SAA), initially developed for prion-induced diseases, has been adapted to detect α-Syn clumps in cerebrospinal fluid, potentially allowing for earlier diagnosis of PD. Recent research indicates that SAA can also identify α-Syn clumps in samples obtained through less invasive procedures, such as skin, nasal tissue, saliva, and blood. However, there is still no standardized approach for conducting these tests, which limits their application in clinical settings. Establishing clear guidelines would enhance the reliability of these tests and aid in identifying patients who might benefit from new treatments. The third Chilean study reviews studies utilizing SAA to detect α-Syn clumps in minimally invasive samples, focusing on the collection, processing, and testing methods to improve the accuracy and utility of the results.

Read the full studies below: