Molecular Diagnostic Kit for HBV DNA Monitors Drug Therapy

A molecular diagnostic detection kit for the quantitation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA from plasma helps to monitor on-going drug therapy treatments for those people chronically infected with HBV.

The ready-to-use kit utilizes polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification technology and is configured for the LightCycler (LC) instrument. The kit provides all necessary reagents optimized for reliable HBV DNA detection and quantitation--including of the HBV genotypes A-G. This spectrum of genotypes is representative of strains of the virus that can be found globally, ensuring high sensitivity in the monitoring of treatments. The kit is not intended for use as a screening test for blood or blood products for the presence of HBV or as a diagnostic test to confirm the presence of HBV infection.

Qiagen (Hamburg, Germany) developed the new HBV assay kit and announced that it has been licensed by Health Canada. Called the artus HBV LC PCR Kit, it monitors the viral load of HBV-infected patients and is now available to doctors in Canada to help them determine the success of a treatment. The QIAamp DNA stabilization and purification (DSP) virus kit isolation method has been validated for use with the artus HBV LC PCR kit.

The hepatitis B virus affects millions of people worldwide. Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that, among others, attacks the liver. The virus can cause cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and even death. The virus is mostly transmitted through blood transfusions, unprotected sexual contact, needle-stick injuries, shared or re-used needles, and infected mothers (to newborn babies during birth). Most infected adults are able to fight off the hepatitis B virus. However, some adults and most infected babies and children are unable to rid their bodies of the virus, and go on to develop chronic infections.

Qiagen has a broad offering of molecular diagnostic tests. Qiagen sells a number of products approved or cleared for in-vitro diagnostic use in the United States, including a U.S. Food and Drug Administration- (FDA; Rockville, MD, USA)- approved test for the human papillomavirus, which plays a key role in cervical cancer screening and prevention.


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