Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026
A Multiplex Serological Assay for the Detection of Antibody Responses to Arboviruses
Published on: November 4, 2025
Comparison of the ADVIA Centaur and Abbott AxSYM immunoassay systems for a routine diagnostic virology laboratory
Paul Taylor1, Graham Pickard, Alistair Gammie
1Diagnostic Virology, St Mary's NHS Trust, Jefferiss Wing, Winsland St, London W2 1NY, UK. paul.taylor@st-marys.nhs.uk
Background:
Routine diagnostic laboratories are confronted with an ever-increasing workload with limited resources. Automation has provided some solutions to these challenges particularly high through put analysers such as the Abbott AxSYM.
Objective:
The aim of the present study was to compare the performance of two automated immunoassay systems in a diagnostic virology laboratory. Samples previously tested using the Abbott AxSYM were tested with a recently introduced immunoassay analyser, the Bayer ADVIA Centaur, for six virology analytes: HBsAg, anti-HBc total, anti-HBc IgM, anti-HBs, anti-HCV and anti-HIV1/O/2.
Study Design:
This study was a retrospective analysis of stored serum samples previously tested on the Abbott AxSYM. Samples giving discrepant results were tested by other alternative immunoassays and re-tested on the Abbott AxSYM in the same freeze-thaw cycle.
Results:
Although the sensitivities of the two automated immunoassays were similar there was improved specificity demonstrated for anti-HIV and anti-HCV when using the ADVIA Centaur assays. The low background signals allowed resolution of samples previously shown to have indeterminate results for anti-HIV antibody in the AxSYM assay. In addition, samples shown to have Abbott AxSYM anti-HCV results that could not be confirmed by RIBA and HCV molecular methods were shown to be negative by the ADVIA Centaur assay.
