Diagnostic Strips for Syphilis Manufactured for POC System

A biotechnology company that develops immunoassay diagnostic kits is manufacturing diagnostic test strips for syphilis.

The test strips will be incorporated into a delivery system that allows testing at the point of care (POC). The system generates results in approximately 15-20 minutes, incorporating a simple, pre-marked series of lines on the sample pad, which is used to clearly identify when sufficient blood has been taken up onto the pad. This feature aids in eliminating guesswork and ensures reliable, repeatable test results.

Called the Rapid 1-2-3 Hema Express, the system is a complete self-contained test that eliminates the need for any external equipment or laboratory interpretation. It can be used in the field and in remote locations. It can be stored at room temperature and requires no refrigeration at any point of the process. It is ideal for developing countries that cannot afford highly trained individuals staffing sophisticated laboratories.

The World Health Organization (WHO; Geneva, Switzerland) estimates that 40 million cases of syphilis are reported every year throughout the world; 12 million of these are new cases. Syphilis is a curable infection that is sexually transmitted and can also be passed on from a mother to her fetus during pregnancy. If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious consequences such as neurologic disorders and stroke, and in pregnant women, stillbirth, prematurity and neonatal deaths.

Many countries, especially those in Africa, have already established effective syphilis control programs that include screening of pregnant women and high-risk populations. The WHO recommends that Syphilis testing be done at the point of care when and where possible to maximize the number of patients who receive their results and the appropriate treatment quickly.

American Bio Medica Corp. (Kinderhook, NY, USA) is manufacturing the syphilis diagnostic test strips for Hema Diagnostic Systems (HDS; Miramar, FL. USA), a privately held manufacturer of rapid diagnostic tests for infectious diseases. HDS will incorporate the ABMC syphilis test strip into HDS' The Rapid 1-2-3 Hema Express delivery system, a new diagnostic platform technology that is safe, minimally invasive, simple to use, and easy to read.


Related Links:
World Health Organization
American Bio Medica Corporation
Hema Diagnostic Systems