Menopause

Septin9 test: A simple blood test for the detection of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths. Until now more than 230.000 people die of this disease within the european region. Although, CRC is curable if diagnosed early. A preventive screening on a regular basis is therefore of primordial importancel and should be an essential part of a general health check-up of people 50 years and older.

Concerning a preventive screening for CRC there is the possibility to regularly check the stool for occult blood. Furthermore, there is the possibility to carry out a colonoscopy that can be repeated after 10 years if the patient has been tested negative. Even though both screening methods have been proven to be very effective, the acceptance within the population is low. Reasons for the low acceptance are a dismissive attitude towards self-retrieved stool samples and towards colonoscopy. Therefore the Septin9-test offers a simple, non-invasive alternative for a preventive screening.

How does the test work?
In many diseases associated with tumors the methylation pattern of several genes can change. In colorectal cancer the Septin9 gene is methylated within a certain promotor region while it is not methylated in cells of the healthy intestinal mucosa.This methylated DNA can be detected by the Septin9 blood test. Only 1 blood draw is necessary.

How are the results of the Septin9 test interpreted?
A negative test result means that methylated Septin9-DNA could not be detected. So with this method, a  CRC can be excluded. The negative predictive value of this test is 99,9%. That means that 999 of 1000 patients tested negative are correctly classified as being CRC negative (with an assumed CRC prevalence of 0,7%). A positive test result means that there is an increased likelihood for the presence of colorectal cancer. Since 45,7% of the patients tested positive are truly positve (positive predictive value) individuals with a positive test result are requested to undergo a colonoscopy for a definitive diagnosis.

The vaginal flora is a complex ecosystem dominated mainly by lactobacilli sp.. In addition, a large variety of anaerobic, aerobic bacteria and Candida sp. occur as a transient accompanying flora with a low numbers of germs.

By producing lactic acid, lactobacilli keep the vaginal ecosystem in a slightly acidic pH range (3.8-4.5); additional antimicrobial substances such as H₂O₂ or bacteriocins keep the vaginal environment in a dynamic but sensitive balance.

A disturbed vaginal flora or a bacterial vaginosis, as well as recurrent infections carry an increased risk of ascending infections and are associated with the onset of prematurity and pregnancy complications. In addition, yeast colonization of the birth path is a common cause of 'diaper dermatitis' and 'oral thrush' in newborns. Women with recurrent vaginal complaints, vaginitis or repeated urinary tract infections should therefore be tested.

With FlorVaScan, Laboratoires Réunis offers you a comprehensive, multi-component analysis profile for the examination of the vaginal microflora. The following examinations are included in the test profile:

• Quantification et identification microbiologique des levures et des lactobacilles (analyse par PCR et culture)
• Microscopic examination of the vaginal exudate according to standardized criteria (Nugent Score) and determination of the degree of purity
• Quantitative analysis of H₂O₂-producing lactobacilli
• Quantitative analysis of the anaerobic and aerobic accompanying flora
• Molecular biological detection of Trichomonas spp. and Gardnerella vaginalis, as well as the main causative agent of bacterial vaginosis
  (Atopobium vaginae, Mobiluncus spp.)
• Quantification and microbiological identification of yeasts and lactobacilli (PCR analysis and culture)

FlorVaScan allows the doctor a targeted and therefore effective therapy. Through a detailed overall assessment of the vaginal flora, he can counteract an imbalance at an early stage and prevent the circulation of recurrent infections via specifying treatment recommendations.

Innovative blood test to determine the individual risk of stroke and heart attack

The PLAC® test is an innovative risk marker that measures the enzymatic activity of Lp-PLA2 (lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2), a specific biomarker for vascular inflammation involved in the formation of unstable plaques that cause majority of cardiovascular events. 

This easy blood test for the detec­tion of Lp-PLA2 offers a more individual risk assess­ment than the usual examinations. Approximately 70% of the heart attacks and most of the strokes are caused by rupture of vascular de­posits, also called atherosclerotic plaques.

Who should be tested and when?

Men ≥ 45; women ≥ 55 with at least 2 of these risk factors:

• Hypertension
• History of cardiovascular diseases or diabetes
• Overweight
• Increased cholesterol levels
• Smoking
• Lack of exercise

Results and Interpretation

The determination of Lp-PLA2 (a vessel-specific inflammation enzyme) shows if plaques are located within the arte­rial vessel wall that tend to rupture. The PLAC®-Test results allow to stratify the individual risk of a patient and ad­just the treatment depending on the results.

Additional information:

The PLAC^®-Test is a CE-labelled test.

FlorInScan

Laboratoires Réunis has many years of experience in the field of intestinal health and stool analysis. For nearly 17 years, we have been offering the FlorInScan extensive stool analysis. The individual profiles are continuously developed and adapted according to the latest scientific findings.

The following FlorInScan and other profiles are available at Laboratoires Réunis for targeted diagnostics and prevention:

FlorInScan includes the classical, quantitative, culture-based determination of fecal microflora (aerobic and anaerobic flora, fungi and yeasts), as well as the analysis of digestive performance by determining food residues,  the pH value and pancreatic elastase. An examination for occult blood in stool is also included. FlorInScan is an important component of preventive and personalized medicine for unclear gastrointestinal complaints or diseases of allergic or immunological origin.

FlorInScan Plus is an advanced screening: in addition to the determination of fecal microflora status, digestive performance and blood in stool, immunological and inflammatory markers (secretory IgA, calprotectin and alpha-1-antitrypsin) are included. These markers allow conclusions on invasive mucosal changes and permeability disorders, e.g. in the context of allergies and chronic inflammatory processes or tumors.

FlorInScan microbiome profile is our newly developed extensive profile based on molecular microbiome analysis. It includes the determination and quantification of health-related, anaerobic bacteria, which can only be detected by molecular genetic methods.

The FlorInScan microbiome profile ideally complements the classic, cultural-based FlorInScan analysis. The analysis of these relevant bacterial groups can additionally be included in the medical interpretation and prevention of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome, colon cancer and diabetes as well as in further therapy.

Laboratoires Réunis offers in addition to its profiles additional examination methods:

• Urinary oestrogen metabolites
• Lactobacilli

Actual Biological Age estimation 

Feeling old too soon? Test if your Lifestyle affects your metabolism. 

Epigenetics is a mechanism that allows to adapt gene expression to environmental factors. Your birthday gives a chronological age, some epigenetic biomarkers may give another biological one. This test will help change or reinforce good habits for a younger biological age. 

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers used by the nervous system to relay information from one nerve to another. An optimal neurotransmitter balance is necessary to maintain proper health. Imbalances can cause the brain and the body to be over- or under-stimulated, producing neurological or psychological symptoms as anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, insomnia or impulsivity.

At Laboratoires Réunis we offer the following neurotransmitters stress profiles:

• Neurotransmitter stress profile basic (serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline)
  
• Neurotransmitter stress profile complete (catecholamines, glutamate, GABA, serotonin, creatinine)
  

These three neurotransmitter catabolites reflect the activity of neurotransmitters involved in cognitive functions and in the control of mood:

• Vanillylmandelic acid
• Homovanillic acid
• 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid

Oxidative stress

Oxygen is vital because it allows the production of energy from organic matter. Paradoxically, oxygen can also be harmful: physiological processes such as cellular respiration or protective mechanisms of the body constantly produce highly reactive oxygen compounds, including free radicals, all highly toxic.

Oxidative stress is defined as a disturbance in the balance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to neutralize them leading to an accumulation of free radicals. Oxidative stress over a long period may promote the development of diseases: cardiovascular diseases, chronic infectious diseases, inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases and even cancer. Besides, oxidative stress plays also an important role in aging.

The factors or conditions below may contribute to oxidative stress:

• Heavy physical efforts
• Unbalanced diet
• Consumption of tobacco and alcohol
• Chronic fatigue
• Physical or mental stress
• Chronic and inflammatory diseases
• Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, oral contraception
• Pollution, UV radiation
• Infections

There is a conclusive link between high levels of oxidative stress and a patient’s health.
However, in more than 80% of cases, it is possible to reduce oxidative stress and thus to improve health status, regardless of clinical context or patient’s age.

Targeted laboratory diagnoses are therefore essential for an early diagnosis and treatment of oxidative stress.

Laboratoires Réunis offers, in addition to a wide range of individual analyses, the following laboratory diagnostic profiles for the detection of oxidative stress:

• Oxidative stress-base profile: antioxidative capacity, oxidized LDL and 8-OHdG
• Profile of complete oxidative stress: antioxidant capacity, 8-OHdG, oxidized LDL, SOD, GPX, Se, Zn, Vit A & E, ubiquinone, citrulline, nitrotyrosine,
• Nitrosative stress profile: ubiquinone, nitrotyrosine, nitrophenylacetic acid, citrulline

Vitamins are crucial parts of biochemical conversions in the body, such as co-factors in enzyme reactions and play an important role against oxidative stress. Deficiency or excess of vitamins can lead to a decreased function of several (organ) systems and the human body as a whole. Therefore, vitamin testing gives insight into absolute and relative deficiencies, and provides information about the impact of dietary changes and supplementations.

Laboratoires Réunis offers the following tests related to vitamins:

• Vitamin B3
• folic acid (vitamin B9)
• Vitamin B12
• Holotranscobalamin (active vitamin B12)
• Biotin (vitamin H)

Minerals are dissolved substances that are present within and outside the body cell. They are essential for several metabolic processes like enzyme activation, regulation of water balance and pH. Increased or decreased levels can impair metabolic processes and additionally give information about possible diseases.

Laboratoires Réunis offers complete analysis of minerals including sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, selenium. Single analysis on demand.