vermicon AG
Emmy-Noether-Straße 2
80992 Munich

release date 24.08.2010
publication free of charge
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vermicon AG: It's time for a change of paradigms

Why microbiology needs to reconsider

26 August 2010: The Mainz University Medical Centre case of contaminated infant infusions shows that standard microbiological detection technology has to be reconsidered. vermicon AG, specialist in microbiology, uses the FISH technology since 1997 to rapidly and reliably detect microorganisms of a broad spectrum - requiring or not requiring cultivation - directly within the sample.

With new, molecular-biological techniques the research of the last 15 years proves that microbiologists are in fact only aware of what is a very small section of the actually existing bacteria. The large majority of microorganisms stays hidden for conventional detection procedures. The cultivation dependent, time consuming "gold standard" detection procedure used for over 100 years is only able to display a small percentage of bacteria which constitutes a fundamental disadvantage compared to new procedures not requiring cultivation. The Pharmacopoea Europaea recognises a therein established alternative method which allows for rapid analysis without cultivation: the FISH method. Since its foundation in 1997, vermicon AG integrates this technology into its portfolio. By realising the potential of FISH right from the beginning the company was able to develop the method further which is now marketed as a company owned technology brand. vermicon identification technology (VIT) names a standardised and industrialised version of FISH used world wide in various industries. In contrast to other cultivation-independent techniques the VIT procedure requires no isolation of cell components making it extremely robust.

"The recent cases of contaminated infusions in Mainz serve as yet another reminder of the great need for microbiological methods to be reconsidered," concludes Dr. Jiri Snaidr, founder and CEO of vermicon AG. "Today's findings call for a real change in microbiology paradigms."

Find further information online at www.vermicon.com.

2022 characters (including spaces) / released on 2010/08/30 / free publishing / voucher copy welcomed

Company Information

vermicon AG provides innovative solutions for microbiological problems dealt with in various industries. The company is the specialist for detection of microorganisms. By offering a wide range of conventional as well as patented technologies vermicon is always prepared to fully comply with the clients’s particular needs. Alongside the broad service and consulting portfolio vermicon also offers test kits for microorganisms. Since 2001, the patented VIT® gene probe technology is available as convenient standardised and industrialised VIT rapid detection kits.