Blog
FecalSwab® : Frequently Asked Questions
FecalSwab® combines a COPAN-invented flocked swab with 2mL of Cary-Blair medium in a plastic, screw cap tube. Simplify and standardize fecal sample collection, transport and processing, converting semi-solid fecal matter into liquid specimens.
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Experts Weigh in On the Evolving Age of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Diagnostics
A new article in Clinical Microbiology Newsletter reviews the current role of emergent Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies in microbiology diagnostic testing. The authors of the article examined the increasingly prevalent use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our day-to-day lives and explored the role of AI in digital image analysis of parasitology samples, gram stains, and bacterial culture. The article also reviews the state of AI technologies in fields of MALDI-TOF mass spectral data analysis and genome sequencing.
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First-in-Class Study Validates Alternate Transport Media and Broader Storage Conditions for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Testing on RT-PCR Platforms
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is a communicable illness caused by a newly identified coronavirus with the number of clinical cases currently on the rise globally. Since the first reported case in December 2019, greater than 3.2 million cases have been reported worldwide…
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FecalSwab®, An Excellent Alternative When Utilizing BD MAX™ Enteric Bacterial Panel and the Extended Enteric Bacterial Panel, Study Finds
A new study published in Diagnostic Microbiology & Infectious Disease examines the use of low volume COPAN FecalSwab® specimens on the BD MAX™ molecular platform. The objective of the study is to determine the ideal volume of the flocked swab-based FecalSwab® medium equivalent to the BD MAX™ recommended bulk stool device Meridian Para-Pak Cary-Blair medium.
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COPAN Celebrates International Women’s Day & the Women at COPAN
March is a beautiful time of year that brings with it the promise of warmer sunny days and fun outdoor activities. March is also a very special time of year because it is designated “National Women’s History Month,” a time…
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COVID-19 Sample Collection Kits for Upper Respiratory Tract Specimens Resource Page
Due to the recent 2019 Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, we have been receiving many inquiries about which types of swabs, media, and kits should be used for COVID-19 sample collection prior to testing. Below we have a short guide on…
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COPAN Streamlines Production to Yield Maximum Output of Viral Transport Kits for Collection of Upper Respiratory Samples, Including COVID-19
Brescia, Italy February 28, 2020 – With the surging demand for sample collection kits for diagnosing COVID-19 and other upper respiratory tract pathogens, COPAN is concentrating its efforts on strategic items to maximize product output and supply during the ongoing…
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Do My Microbes Love You? How Your Bacteria Affect Your Love Life
In November, we explored how our microbes have a tremendous influence on our nutrition, immunity, and overall well-being (Click to read the article in case you missed it). In honor of Valentine’s Day, we take a more in-depth look into…
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Best Practices for Sample Collection for Respiratory Specimens, Including Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
With the current rise in flu cases and possible spread of emerging respiratory viruses, like the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), laboratories and healthcare providers can expect another very busy flu season. The 2019-2020 flu season is on track to be one…
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CDC Recommends Nasopharyngeal Swabs AND Oropharyngeal Swabs as Suitable for Upper Respiratory Tract Specimens for Investigations of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
On January 30th, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) held its second meeting in Geneva of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee regarding the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). During the meeting the committee agreed that the outbreak constitutes a…
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Norman Sharples Receives Achievement Sculpture for 25 Years as CEO of COPAN Diagnostics, Inc.
During COPAN Diagnostics’ 25th Anniversary celebration, Norman was presented an achievement sculpture to commemorate his 25 years of service at COPAN. It consisted of an elegant and contemporary Eagle Sculpture from gifted wildlife California artist Kitty Cantrell. The name of…
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Versatile Easy-To-Use FecalSwab® is an Excellent Alternative to Traditional Containers for Accurate and Timely Detection of Gastrointestinal Pathogens from Fecal or Rectal Specimens
Fecal specimens have been utilized in the microbiology laboratory for years in order to detect bacterial gastrointestinal (GI) pathogens by culture. More recently, molecular assays have been developed to detect not only bacterial GI pathogens, but viral and parasitic causes…
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Does ESwab™ Maintain Viability of Pathogenic Mycobacteria and Fungi?
Although there is little disagreement that body fluids, tissues and aspirates are the preferred materials to collect for the culture of specimens for fungus and mycobacteria, the use of ESwab™ has been shown to maintain the viability of these organisms and to release most of the sample into the media allowing for suitable culture material.
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Providers, Trainers, and Defenders: The Hidden Role of Your Microbes to be Thankful For
Halloween has come and gone, shifting our attention to Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to celebrate together with friends and family and to reflect on the relationships we are grateful for in our lives. Yet few people recognize some…
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The Spooky Microbe Monsters Among Us
It’s nearly Halloween, a time to celebrate by donning costumes, carving pumpkins, and watching horror films. The Fall Season is a perfect time to gather around a warm fire and tell spooky stories about our favorite monsters. Although monsters like…
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Can CAP Proficiency Testing (PT) Samples be Adequately Processed with Laboratory Automation? A Proof of Concept Study…
As part of the study, remnant CAP PT samples were tested to determine a procedure for processing the unknowns on the WASP®DT. The unknown samples were processed manually following the instructions provided by CAP. The results were used as a control to compare four different methods for processing the unknown samples on the WASP®DT.
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Hologic’s Panther Fusion MRSA Assay Lists ESwab™ as Approved Sample Collection Device
Hologic’s Panther Fusion MRSA Assay Lists ESwab™ as Approved Sample Collection Device
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FDA Cleared UriSponge™ for More Convenient Urine Collection, Preservation, and Transport
FDA Cleared UriSponge™ for More Convenient Urine Collection, Preservation, and Transport
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Preparing for the 2018 – 2019 Influenza Season
Preparing for the 2018 – 2019 Influenza Season
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Liquid Based Microbiology is the Key to Optimal Automation Utilization
Laboratories can optimize their automation utilization with COPAN LBM products
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Dr. Flora Returns to Demonstrate the PhenoMATRIX™ Software!
Dr. Flora Returns to Demonstrate the PhenoMATRIX™ Software
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Recent Study Shows WASPLab® and VITEK®MS Together to Facilitate Positive Blood Culture Identification in Approximately 4 Hours
Recent Study Shows WASPLab® and VITEK®MS Together to Facilitate Positive Blood Culture Identification in Approximately 4 Hours
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Orange You Glad WASPLab®’s PhenoMATRIX™ Can Detect and Interpret GAS Colonies on Novel CHROMagar’s Colorex Strep A Agar?
Orange You Glad WASPLab®’s PhenoMATRIX™ Can Detect and Interpret GAS Colonies on Novel CHROMagar’s Colorex Strep A Agar?
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COPAN FecalSwab for Infection Control Surveillance of ESBL, CRE and C. difficile
COPAN FecalSwab can be used for Infection Control Surveillance of ESBL, CRE and C. difficile
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Dr. Flora and Zip Journey Through PhenoMATRIX™
Automation comes alive in this exciting new video starring Zip and Dr. Flora, about COPAN’s PhenoMATRIX Algorithm Suite which automates reading of some traditional bacterial cultures.
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