EasyCel– Cell Lines in standardised Tubes for Use in Clinical Virology |
The EasyCeL™ series is a range of cell lines which is supplied in a ready-to-use format in standardised cell culture tubes. They are designed to be used in routine clinical virology for the detection and isolation of a wide range of viruses in clinical samples. The HPA, through the European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC) and HPA Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, can arrange the supply of EasyCeL™ to arrive at your laboratory on any working day. The cells are in a ready-to-use format, requiring only 16-24 hour acclimatisation after transport. The EasyCeL™ series are CE marked, i.e., produced in accordance with the requirements of the European In Vitro Diagnostics Directive (IVDD) ensuring that you are working with reagents produced to a certified standard, in this case ISO 9001:2000.
|  FOR IN VITRO DIAGNOSTIC USE |
Cell Lines available: To enable detection of a broad range of viruses a panel of five different authenticated cell lines are offered in the EasyCeL™ format. They comprise: |
The benefits associated in using the EasyCeL™ format - Ready-to-use – This new format allows you to inoculate directly into tubes that contain your cell line of choice
- Economical – The use of ECACC EasyCeL™ tube format will eliminate the labour intensive task involved in culturing cells in the standard T25 – T175 flasks.
- Standardised – Each EasyCeL™ tube contains the optimum number of cells for viral detection and isolation. Every batch has undergone stringent quality control testing at ECACC. Each cell line bank is independently tested for virus susceptibility at HPA Addenbrooke’s Hospital , Cambridge, UK.
- Compatible – The 12mm x 100mm glass tubes provided are the popular size currently used in diagnostic laboratories and they provide a suitable visual space to detect viral infection.
- Flexible - ECACC can supply the quantity of EasyCeL™ tubes required for your diagnosis to arrive on any working day you choose.
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Virus Isolated using EasyCeL™ We have conducted trials with ten of our regular PMK customers who currently receive standard flasks, and who represent different sizes of laboratories throughout the UK. Participants were invited to test EasyCeL™ alongside their existing systems for the detection of viruses in clinical specimens. The trial was carried out over a four week period with tubes being supplied on a daily basis. Overall the feedback was very good particularly concerning the substitution of PLC/PRF/5 for PMK. As part of the trial we invited the participants to let us know what viruses they had managed to isolate using EasyCeL™s. The results are summarised in Table 1 below.
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| | Adenovirus | Coxsackie | Echovirus | Enterovirus | Influenza A | Influenza B | Cell Line | | | | | | | | PCF/PLC/5 |  | | | | | | | MRC-5 | | | | | | | | MDCK | | | | | | | | HEP2 | | | | | | | | VERO | | | | | | |
| | Para influenza | Polio | RSV | CMV | VZV | HSV | Rhinovirus | Cell Line | | | | | | | | | PCF/PLC/5 | | | | | | | | | MRC-5 | | | | | | | | | MDCK | | | | | | | | | HEP2 | | | | | | | | | VERO | | | | | | | | |
Table 1. Viruses isolated/detected in the EasyCeL™ pre-seeded tubes- combined results reported by ten trial participants.
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Quality and Storage All EasyCeL™ cell lines have undergone full quality control and authentication testing. These include tests for mycoplasma by a combination of culture isolation, Hoechst DNA staining and PCR and also culture isolation for the detection of bacteria, yeast and fungi. Each bank of cells has also been tested against its source bank to confirm the fidelity of its DNA profile. On arrival, the EasyCeL™ tubes should be stored at 37°C in an atmosphere of 5% CO2/air. Do not freeze or expose to temperatures >37°C.
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Ordering Information You can order any combination or quantity of cell lines to arrive on the working day of your choice. To benefit from this new service, order EasyCeL™ by sending in your request and specifying the number of tubes and type of cell line(s) you require. Further details are available either by visiting ECACC website on www.ecacc.org.uk or by contacting ECACC sales office on + 44 (0) 1980 61215, to discuss your requirements in more detail. Note: EasyCeL™ is only available when you place a standing order. State the days you would like to receive this service. Delivery over the UK bank holiday periods may be subject to change.
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