We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

The Randox Laboratories Diagnostic Test Distinguishes Coronavirus from Other Respiratory Infections

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 21 Feb 2020
Print article
Image: Illustration of a 2019- novel coronavirus (nCoV) virion (Photo courtesy of Alissa Eckert, MS/CDC).
Image: Illustration of a 2019- novel coronavirus (nCoV) virion (Photo courtesy of Alissa Eckert, MS/CDC).
The global health diagnostics company Randox Laboratories (Crumlin, United Kingdom) has announced the release of a rapid diagnostic test for the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus.

A novel coronavirus of zoonotic origin, the 2019-nCoV virus (the causative agent of COVID-19 disease) was recently identified in patients with acute respiratory disease. This virus is genetically similar to SARS coronavirus and bat SARS-like coronaviruses. The outbreak was initially detected in Wuhan, a major city of China, but has subsequently been detected in other provinces of China as well as in several other countries. At this time more than 70,000 cases of the disease have been confirmed with over 2,000 fatalities.

Signs of infection are highly non-specific and these include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, dyspnea, and viral pneumonia. Currently, experts estimate that only a small percentage of coronavirus cases have actually been diagnosed clinically. Therefore, diagnostic tests specific for this infection are urgently needed for confirming suspected cases, screening patients, and conducting virus surveillance.

In this regard Randox Laboratories, has adapted its patented Biochip Array Technology (BAT) for diagnosis of coronavirus. BAT is an innovative multiplexing technology which is utilized within the cartridge aspect of an autoanalyzer platform. The Biochip allows for the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes from a single sample.

The Randox COVID-19 test is available for the Evidence Investigator autoanalyzer with five hours turnaround time. An additional enhanced multiplex array also includes tests for other respiratory viruses, which display similar symptoms.

This Biochip tests simultaneously, from one patient sample, for the viruses below:
• COVID-19 (previously named 2019-nCoV)
• Coronavirus 229E/NL63
• Coronavirus OC43/HKUI
• Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
• Pan-Coronavirus (SARS, SARS like, COVID-19)
• Adenovirus A/B/C/D/E
• Enterovirus A/B/C
• Influenza A
• Influenza B
• Rhinovirus A/B

Dr. Peter FitzGerald, managing director of Randox Laboratories, said, “Current technologies for the diagnosis of coronavirus are designed simply to detect the presence or lack of COVID-19, and therefore neglect to differentiate between this strain and other respiratory infections. We have therefore developed an extended Viral Respiratory Infection Array that tests simultaneously for COVID-19 and nine other viruses. This will eliminate the need for multiple back-and-forth tests before the root cause of symptoms is found, and empower clinicians to make fast and informed decisions.”

Related Links:
Randox Laboratories

Gold Member
SARS-COV-2 PLUS UK Real Time PCR kit
SARS-COV-2 PLUS UK REALTIME PCR KIT
Unit-Dose Packaging solution
HLX
New
Progesterone Serum Assay
Progesterone ELISA Kit
New
UHF RFID Tag and Inlay
AD-321r6/AD-321r6-P

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The new saliva-based test for heart failure measures two biomarkers in about 15 minutes (Photo courtesy of Trey Pittman)

POC Saliva Testing Device Predicts Heart Failure in 15 Minutes

Heart failure is a serious condition where the heart muscle is unable to pump sufficient oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. It ranks as a major cause of death globally and is particularly fatal for... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The FDA clearance for the QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel Mini test follows the recent approval of QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel Plus (Photo courtesy of QIAGEN)

Respiratory Panel to Help Clinicians Make Precise Treatment Decisions in Outpatient Settings

Respiratory tract infections are the primary reason for visits to emergency departments and subsequent hospitalizations. In the U.S., it is estimated that there are up to 41 million cases of influenza... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: QScout CBC will give a complete blood count in 2 minutes from fingerstick or venous blood (Photo courtesy of Ad Astra Diagnostics)

Next Gen CBC and Sepsis Diagnostic System Targets Faster, Earlier, Easier Results

Every hour is critical in protecting patients from infections, yet there are currently limited tools to assist in early diagnosis before patients reach a hospital. The complete blood count (CBC) is a common... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The InfectoSynovia test has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

High-Accuracy Bedside Test to Diagnose Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Five Minutes

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) represents a significant global issue that is worsening as the number of joint replacements increases due to aging populations. In the United States alone, the anticipated... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The new technique allows properties of cancer cells and their surrounding tissue to be analyzed in detail at single-cell level (Photo courtesy of Universität Helsinki/Karolina Punovuori)

New Imaging Method Opens Door to Precision Diagnostics for Head and Neck Cancers

Head and neck cancers, while considered rare, represent a significant portion of cancer cases and have seen a notable increase over the past 30 years. These cancers encompass various malignant tumors that... Read more