I am using Immunometrics kits for both routine service and research purposes. I am using them for the measurement of reproductive hormones (Prolactin, FSH, LH, Oestradiol, Progesterone and Testosterone) in infertile patients. I found Immunometrics thyroid hormone kits, highly suitable for the measurement of thyroid related hormones (TSH, T4 and T3) in different cases of thyroid disease which is highly endemic in my country.

I use the Immunometrics hCG kit for the quantitative determination of hCG levels in cases of ectopic pregnancy, if ultrasonography showed an empty uterus. I use it for the diagnosis as well as long terms follow up of molar pregnancy, hydatiform mole and choriocarcinoma. It can be used in general for pregnancy screening (early diagnosis, spontaneous abortion and chromosomal anomalies).

Immunometrics EIA kits are appropriate for my Centre for all of the above mentioned applications because:

• From a financial point of view, because Immunometrics tube format kits were adapted to be read by any general laboratory colorimeter capable of reading at 550 nm. The colorimeters unlike ELISA readers are affordable and available in any small laboratory. Therefore, these assays are highly suitable for developing countries, where financial resources are limited. This is an advantage compared to the very expensive ELISA readers and washers, which are not affordable to many labs.
• I like Immunometrics kits because the incubation step is always at the physiological temperature 37°C in the water-path, which is always similar anywhere. Most commercial ELISA kits producers recommend incubation at room temperature, which in my country is much higher than the country of origin. It is well known that any 10 degrees centigrade increase in temperature will double the rate of the reaction, therefore, incubation at room temperature in our countries for the specified period of time will violate the manufacturer's protocol.
• I like Immunometrics kits because my country is very hot, but the kits are very stable even under hot conditions. They use stable alkaline phosphatase substrates. ELISA kits substrates are heat sensitive and light sensitive.
• I like Immunometrics kits because the pleasant pink colour produced by the enzyme conjugate and the substrate is very stable and can be read within 24 hours. ELISA kits end point colours produced by unstable substrates should be read within 10 minutes in most kits, a situation not suitable for our countries with frequent power failures.
• I like Immunometrics kits because they adopt the magnetic separation, which eliminates the need for centrifugation. The problem in our country is the frequent power failure and the possibility that the entire assay may get locked for hours in those magnetically locked high capacity centrifuges in case of a power failure. For a centrifuge to stay locked, the temperature inside rises and the equilibrium reaction reverses.
• The facilities for an established RIA lab can be used as they are suitable for EIA tube format assays. Only one colorimeter capable of reading at 550 and 492 nm will be needed, therefore, in the Sudan I thought of introducing EIA assays tube format as a backup technique in the established RIA laboratories.

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