Single Test Detects All Existing Strains of H5N1
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 06 Jun 2012 |
|
A bird flu diagnostic kit was successfully developed by scientists at a research institute and a hospital in Singapore.
The advanced kit enables doctors to rapidly detect all existing strains of H5N1 viruses in a single test with almost 100% accuracy. This will boost the public healthcare system and will aid pandemic preparedness worldwide against this highly infectious and often lethal disease.
The new H5N1 test kit is more accurately known as the H5N1 real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) assay. It is the only detection kit currently available on the market that can accurately and rapidly detect all known strains of the H5N1 avian Influenza A virus.
The current gold standard for H5N1 detection recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO; Geneva, Switzerland) is only able to detect three out of the 10 distinct genetic groups (clades 1, 2, and 3). To detect all existing strains of H5N1 with the WHO detection method is not possible.
Codeveloped by Dr. Masafumi Inoue, a senior research scientist and project director of technology development from the Experimental Therapeutics Center (ETC) under the Agency for Science and Technology Research (A*STAR; Singapore) and Dr Timothy Barkham, a senior consultant of Laboratory Medicine from Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH; Singapore), the newly launched H5N1 test kit has been clinically validated by several hospitals in Southeast Asia.
The new test kit is compatible with the previously launched "4-plex" Influenza diagnostic kit. The latter is being used by several regional hospitals in Thailand. Using such multiplex assays enables simultaneous detection and differentiation of the different types of influenza infection in a single test, which will save laboratories time and expense.
"We are excited to be able to contribute to the fight against H5N1 virus with our expertise and know-how. Our technology has greatly simplified and accelerated the process of detection and identification of new H5N1 variants. Such information is especially critical when the virus mutates to become more dangerous, such as in drug resistance." said Dr Inoue.
Related Links:
Agency for Science and Technology Research
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
World Health Organization
The advanced kit enables doctors to rapidly detect all existing strains of H5N1 viruses in a single test with almost 100% accuracy. This will boost the public healthcare system and will aid pandemic preparedness worldwide against this highly infectious and often lethal disease.
The new H5N1 test kit is more accurately known as the H5N1 real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) assay. It is the only detection kit currently available on the market that can accurately and rapidly detect all known strains of the H5N1 avian Influenza A virus.
The current gold standard for H5N1 detection recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO; Geneva, Switzerland) is only able to detect three out of the 10 distinct genetic groups (clades 1, 2, and 3). To detect all existing strains of H5N1 with the WHO detection method is not possible.
Codeveloped by Dr. Masafumi Inoue, a senior research scientist and project director of technology development from the Experimental Therapeutics Center (ETC) under the Agency for Science and Technology Research (A*STAR; Singapore) and Dr Timothy Barkham, a senior consultant of Laboratory Medicine from Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH; Singapore), the newly launched H5N1 test kit has been clinically validated by several hospitals in Southeast Asia.
The new test kit is compatible with the previously launched "4-plex" Influenza diagnostic kit. The latter is being used by several regional hospitals in Thailand. Using such multiplex assays enables simultaneous detection and differentiation of the different types of influenza infection in a single test, which will save laboratories time and expense.
"We are excited to be able to contribute to the fight against H5N1 virus with our expertise and know-how. Our technology has greatly simplified and accelerated the process of detection and identification of new H5N1 variants. Such information is especially critical when the virus mutates to become more dangerous, such as in drug resistance." said Dr Inoue.
Related Links:
Agency for Science and Technology Research
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
World Health Organization
Platinum Member
Automated Coagulation Analyzer
Hemolumi H6
Gold Member
Platelet Function Analyzer
PL-12
Platinum Member
Integrated Biochemical & Immunological System
Biolumi CX Solution X10+C10
New
MR-proADM Test
B•R•A•H•M•S MR-proADM KRYPTOR test
Latest Microbiology News
- FDA-Cleared Multiplex PCR Test Detects 13 Respiratory Pathogens in a Single Sample
- One-Hour Molecular Panel Expands Bloodstream Infection Testing for Gram-Negative Pathogens
- FDA Clears Rapid Phenotypic Antimicrobial Susceptibility System for Positive Blood Cultures
- New Urine Test Expands Mycotoxin Analysis to 31 Markers for Broader Exposure Assessment
- Collaboration Targets Blood-Based Ebola Detection Outside Central Laboratories
- Study Finds Frequent Overlap in Antibodies to Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Pathogens
- Early-Life Gut Microbiome Changes May Help Assess Type 1 Diabetes Risk
- FDA Breakthrough-Designated Urine Panel Aims to Shorten Pathogen and Susceptibility Testing
- Expanded Newborn Screening Program Increases Detection of Congenital Cytomegalovirus
- Genetic Studies Uncover Mechanisms Driving Drug Resistance in Superbugs
- Magnetic Nanoparticles Enable More Sensitive Beta-Lactam Allergy Testing
- Diagnostic Stewardship Guide Targets Testing Overuse and Hospital Cost Pressures
- Infant Skin Microbiome Show Links to Later Eczema and Food Allergies
- Research Strengthens Bundibugyo Virus Outbreak Readiness with Faster Diagnostics
- Gut Microbiome Classifier Improves Colorectal Cancer Risk Stratification
- New Diagnostic Workflow Identifies Bloodstream Pathogens and Antibiotic Response in Hours
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Screening After Pneumococcal Disease May Reveal Undiagnosed Blood Cancer or Immune Disorders
Severe pneumococcal disease requiring hospitalization often presents as pneumonia, particularly in older adults and people with cancer or compromised immune function. Because M protein testing and antibody... Read more
Global Survey Underscores Need to Standardize Bone Biomarker Testing
Bone and mineral metabolism biomarkers can complement dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) by providing information on disease activity and treatment response. For more than 20 years, standardization... Read more
Label-Free Platform Combines Microfluidics and AI for Circulating Tumor Cell Analysis
Liquid biopsy relies on detecting rare tumor-derived material in blood, but circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are especially difficult to capture because they are vastly outnumbered by normal blood cells.... Read more
Rapid D-Dimer Assay Supports Exclusion and Monitoring of Serious Clotting Conditions
Blood clots can rapidly become life‑threatening and affect approximately 10 million people worldwide each year. During time‑sensitive evaluations, clinicians use D‑dimer testing to help rule out deep vein... Read moreMolecular Diagnostics
view channel
Blood RNA Panel Predicts Lung Cancer Risk Years Before Diagnosis
Lung cancer may begin developing during a preclinical period when the disease remains clinically undetected, creating a challenge for identifying individuals at elevated risk years before diagnosis.... Read more
Bile DNA Testing Detects Tumor Signals Before Conventional Cancer Diagnosis
Distinguishing malignant from benign biliary strictures can be difficult when tissue samples are limited or disease is early. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-guided cytology and biopsy... Read more
Hematology
view channel
New Donor Genetic Marker May Help Predict Stem Cell Transplant Success
Donor selection for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation plays a major role in relapse risk and survival for patients with blood cancers and other blood disorders. Despite advances in genotyping, uncertainty... Read more
Updated Ferritin Thresholds Improve Detection of Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency is one of the most common health conditions worldwide, yet its nonspecific symptoms can delay diagnosis for months. Variation in testing practices and ferritin thresholds may contribute... Read more
Immunology
view channel
Blood Test Differentiates Bacterial and Viral Infections in Febrile Infants
Fever in infants younger than 3 months is treated as a medical emergency because infections can become life-threatening while the immune system is still developing. Emergency department teams must quickly... Read more
New Autoantibody Test Targets Pre-Symptomatic Type 1 Diabetes Screening
Type 1 diabetes is often first recognized only after substantial beta-cell destruction, sometimes presenting as diabetic ketoacidosis. Population-scale screening could identify children at elevated risk... Read more
Pathology
view channel
Genomic Classifier Predicts Benefit From Adding Hormone Therapy to Salvage Prostate Radiation
Men who have undergone prostatectomy for prostate cancer may later develop a detectable or rising prostate-specific antigen, prompting salvage radiation therapy. A key challenge is determining who is most... Read more
New AI Model Maps Where Glioblastoma Could Return After Surgery
Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults and the most lethal, with median survival of about 17 months after diagnosis. Even after surgeons remove all visible tumor and patients receive... Read more
Technology
view channel
Laser-Based Swab Analysis Shows Promise for Detecting Disease-Linked Odor Patterns
Disease-related changes in volatile organic compounds can alter body odor, producing measurable patterns in exhaled breath and bodily fluids. Current analytical methods can be complex, time-consuming,... Read more
Laser-Enhanced Assay Boosts Sensitivity for Colorectal Cancer Biomarker Detection
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Early detection remains critical, but cancer biomarkers can produce only faint... Read more
Industry
view channel
Collaboration Combines AI Cognitive Assessment and RNA Blood Testing for Earlier Alzheimer’s Detection
Alzheimer’s disease is often identified only after substantial neurodegeneration, partly because current diagnostic pathways are fragmented and difficult to scale. As treatment shifts toward earlier intervention,... Read more
Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Pathology Asia Expand Genomic Testing Across Asia-Pacific
Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Pathology Asia Holdings (PAH), together with subsidiary LifeStrands Genomics, announced a strategic investment and collaboration focused on expanding access to advanced diagnostics... Read more
