Actim® Partus – A Rapid Test to Aid in the Diagnosis of Preterm Birth Risk 

The Actim® Partus is a rapid, bedside diagnostic test to help assess the risk of preterm birth from the 22nd week of pregnancy. It provides results in just 5 minutes and is not affected by common interfering substances. 

Preterm birth (delivery before the 37th week of pregnancy) is the leading cause of infant mortality and a major contributor to long-term health complications. Accurately predicting the risk of preterm birth allows clinicians to intervene appropriately, avoiding unnecessary overtreatment. The Actim® Partus is a point-of-care test that can be used to aid in the diagnosis of preterm labor in pregnant patients with intact membranes. 

What is Actim® Partus? 

The Actim® Partus rapid test is based on specific monoclonal antibodies to the highly phosphorylated form of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-1 (phIGFBP-1). This protein is produced in the decidua and leaks into the cervix when the decidua and chorion membranes separate. The Actim® Partus detects this leakage by collecting a cervical secretion sample with a dedicated swab, which is then dipped into a solution and tested with a dipstick. 

A positive Actim® Partus test result indicates tissue damage that may lead to preterm birth. Conversely, a negative test result means there is no significant separation between the chorion and decidua (fetal membranes are intact). Therefore, birth is highly unlikely to occur within the next 1–2 weeks, even if the patient is experiencing contractions. Actim® Partus can be used from the 22nd week of pregnancy onward. 

Key Advantages of Actim® Partus 

• Rapid: Provides results in 5 minutes, saving valuable clinical time. 

• Easy to Use: Performed at the patient's bedside without complex machinery or extensive training. 

• High Negative Predictive Value (NPV): Effectively rules out cases that are not in early labor. 

• No Interference: Unaffected by blood, semen, and several other potential interfering substances (*). 

• (* For a full list of tested interfering substances, please contact SISC Vietnam Medical Equipment Joint Stock Company at the contact information at the bottom of the website to receive the Actim® Partus instructions for use.) 

Preterm Labor or Braxton-Hicks Contractions? 

Half of all pregnant individuals experience symptoms of preterm labor, but only 20% of these are truly at risk of preterm birth or imminent delivery. Distinguishing between true preterm labor and false labor can be challenging for medical staff. Actim® Partus was developed to help clinicians make timely bedside diagnoses for their patients. 

Patients with false labor symptoms can be held in a triage area for monitoring or discharged, while those with true labor contractions can be moved to the next area as quickly as possible. This saves valuable time and resources for both healthcare staff and the hospital. 

A Positive Actim® Partus Result Means: 

• A phlGFBP-1 concentration of 10 μg/l or higher is present in the collected sample, indicating significant tissue damage. 

• The patient is at risk of preterm birth and should be evaluated for treatment to either delay delivery or prepare for the baby's birth. 

• It allows for the early identification of patients at true risk of preterm birth for timely intervention. 

A Negative Actim® Partus Result Means: 

• A phlGFBP-1 concentration of 10 μg/l or lower is present in the collected sample, indicating no significant tissue damage. 

• After combining with other clinical diagnostic methods, the patient may be discharged, as delivery is unlikely to occur within the next 1-2 weeks. 

• Unnecessary treatments with potential side effects can be avoided, reassuring the mother and saving hospital resources. 

Actim® Partus Procedure 

	Step 1: Collect the sample from the endocervix for 10–15 seconds.  (*If Actim® Partus is used in conjunction with Actim® PROM, a separate sample is needed for each test. The sample for Actim® Partus must be collected from the cervix, while the sample for Actim® PROM is taken from the posterior vaginal fornix.)
	Step 2: Vigorously swirl the swab in the extraction solution tube for 10–15 seconds. Press the swab head against the tube wall and then discard the swab
	Step 3: Dip the yellow end of the test stick into the extraction solution.
	Step 4: Once the solution reaches the result window, remove the test stick and lay it flat
	Step 5: Read the result at 5 minutes.  If two blue lines appear, the result is positive: There is membrane damage and a risk of preterm birth.  If one blue line appears (control line), the result is negative: The risk of preterm birth in the next 1-2 weeks is low. If the control line does not appear, the result is invalid.

Product Contents 

• Cervical swab 

• Extraction solution tube 

• Actim® Partus test stick 

• Detailed instructions for use 

For more information about the product, please contact SISC Vietnam Medical Equipment Joint Stock Company at the information below: 

SISC Vietnam Medical Equipment Joint Stock Company Headquarters: 63-65-67-69-71 Lang Ha Street, O Cho Dua Ward, Hanoi. Tel: +84 24 3747 2258 | +84 24 3938 0045