Qiagen Launches Novel Tuberculosis Blood Test That Marks Quantum Leap from Traditional TB Skin Test
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 21 Oct 2021 |

QIAGEN N.V. (Venlo, Netherlands) has announced the launch and CE marking of QIAreach QuantiFERON-TB test for tuberculosis (TB) infection, in order to help achieve global TB elimination targets by increasing access to easy and reliable TB testing, especially in high burden countries, low-resource regions.
Built on the proven QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus technology, QIAreach QuantiFERON-TB is a portable device that enables the ultrasensitive digital detection of TB infection with an end-to-end workflow that is simple and cost efficient, and increases access to reliable Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) testing. A quantum leap from the traditional TB skin test, QuantiFERON-TB uses blood samples to test for interferon-gamma molecules released from T-cells that have come into contact with TB bacteria. QIAreach QuantiFERON-TB runs these tests on the digital eHub and eStick system, a true walkaway solution with random access and no calibration or maintenance.
QIAreach QuantiFERON TB testing requires one patient visit and produces an easy-to-read result in 20 minutes after sample incubation, with the ability to record and send results for improved data management, making it ideal for TB screening programs. QIAGEN will focus on regions that face a high burden of the disease, and where getting access to lab infrastructure and resources for testing are limited. QIAGEN will work with commercial distribution partners as well as the Stop TB Partnership’s Global Drug Facility to ensure affordable access across all high burden, low and middle-income countries. In parallel, QIAGEN will continue its close collaboration with a variety of international organizations and public health institutions to help drive scale-up through innovative implementation projects.
“With QIAreach QuantiFERON-TB we have taken a great step towards leaving no one behind when facing a deadly disease like tuberculosis that is preventable and curable. With this groundbreaking new way to detect TB infections we can aid to prevent patients, especially those in high burden countries, from developing the active form of TB,” said Thierry Bernard, CEO of QIAGEN. “It combines QIAGEN’s proven QuantiFERON-TB technology with a very portable and field-friendly digital device to deliver extremely reliable results without the need for complex laboratory infrastructure at effective cost.”
Related Links:
QIAGEN N.V.
Latest Microbiology News
- Decentralized Laboratory Network Improves Detection of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers in Guinea
- Molecular Panel Gains WHO Emergency Use Listing to Support Ebola Outbreak Response
- Rapid Host-Response Test Aims to Predict Corticosteroid Benefit in Sepsis
- Oral and Lung Microbiome Changes Linked to Severe Long Covid Symptoms
- Study Finds Distinct Malaria Parasites Linked to Sickle Cell Trait Protection
- Rapid Urine Test Aids Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis
- Nanodroplet CRISPR Technology Supports Rapid, Multiplexed Mycobacterial Identification
- Genomic Workflow Identifies Fungal Pathogens Before Blood Cultures Turn Positive
- 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
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Common Kidney Function Tests May Miss CKD in Cancer Patients
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can complicate cancer care, as reduced kidney filtration may affect treatment eligibility and dosing. In oncology, kidney function assessment often relies on estimated glomerular... Read more
Point-of-Care Blood Biomarker Test Detects Brain Injury Missed by CT
Traumatic brain injury remains difficult to assess in emergency settings because some patients continue to have symptoms despite normal computed tomography findings. Approximately 2.8 million people in the U.... Read moreMolecular Diagnostics
view channel
Updated Framework Guides Assessment of Actionable Cancer Biomarkers
Cancer care increasingly relies on molecular testing to guide targeted treatment selection. Broader use of tumor sequencing has expanded the volume and diversity of biomarker data available to oncologists,... Read more
Genomic Tissue Test Predicts Metastasis and Abiraterone Benefit in High-Risk Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, affecting more than 1 million men worldwide in 2013. Its clinical course varies substantially between patients, complicating efforts to identify those... Read moreHematology
view channel
New Risk-Stratification Tool Predicts Relapse After Blinatumomab in Childhood ALL
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and young people requires careful assessment of relapse risk, particularly as treatment approaches move beyond standard chemotherapy. Traditional relapse predictors... Read more
New Myelofibrosis Guidelines Recommend Expanded Genetic Testing at Diagnosis
Myelofibrosis is a rare, life-threatening blood cancer affecting up to six per 100,000 people. The disease causes scarring in the bone marrow, limiting the production of healthy blood cells and potentially... Read moreImmunology
view channel
Antibody Profiling Predicts Inflammatory Bowel Disease Years Before Diagnosis
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, involves abnormal immune responses that cause persistent inflammation and damage in the digestive system.... Read more
Immune Profiling Initiative Aims to Improve Bone Marrow Analysis in Leukemia
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive blood cancer in which assessing disease burden after therapy can help guide clinical evaluation. Patients with measurable residual disease (MRD) after treatment... Read more
Immune Profiling Identifies Early Maternal Autoantibodies Linked to Preterm Birth Risk
A typical pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, but labor begins prematurely in roughly one in 10 pregnancies. Preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn death worldwide, yet its underlying causes and which... Read more
Longitudinal Blood Testing Reveals Changes in Allergen Sensitization During Childhood
Food allergy is a major childhood health concern, and distinguishing persistent risk from transient sensitization can guide clinical decisions. Specific IgE antibodies may be detectable even when a child... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
Decentralized Laboratory Network Improves Detection of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers in Guinea
Viral hemorrhagic fevers remain a major diagnostic challenge in West Africa because their early symptoms can resemble those of other febrile illnesses. The 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic underscored the need... Read more
Molecular Panel Gains WHO Emergency Use Listing to Support Ebola Outbreak Response
The ongoing Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries has become one of the largest outbreaks of this Ebola virus species recorded to date.... Read morePathology
view channel
Digital Pathology Test Stratifies Recurrence Risk in Early Breast Cancer
In hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative early breast cancer, accurate recurrence-risk assessment helps guide treatment decisions. However, individual risks... Read more
AI Pathology Tool Predicts DNA Repair Deficiency in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
High-grade serous tubo-ovarian carcinoma is an aggressive cancer arising in the ovaries or fallopian tubes. Some tumors exhibit homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), a feature reflecting impaired DNA repair.... Read moreIndustry
view channel
Collaboration Brings Tumor-Informed MRD Monitoring to Breast Cancer Care in Abu Dhabi
For many patients, cancer treatment does not eliminate the risk of recurrence, which may occur months or years later and become harder to treat after spreading. Recurrence is often detected only after... Read more







