Blood Screening Assay Detects and Identifies Three Major Viruses

A qualitative in vitro test for the direct detection of major pathogenic viruses in human plasma is intended to be used in the screening donations of human whole blood and blood components in pools of 6 samples, and source plasma donations in pools of up to 96 samples.

By utilizing real time, multi-dye polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, individual specimens can be simultaneously detected and discriminated for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type, Hepatitis C Virus and Hepatitis B Virus, reducing the sample volume required and the turnaround time for donor testing.


The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA; Silver Springs, MD, USA) has approved the assay and along with a Conformité Européenne (CE) marking and recent approvals in Canada, Brazil, China, and India, supports safety standards of blood and plasma centers worldwide. The TaqScreen MPX Test, v2.0 (Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland) is a qualitative in vitro test for the direct detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Group M RNA, HIV-1 Group O RNA, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 2 (HIV-2) RNA, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) DNA in human plasma.

The test runs on the Roche fully automated cobas s 201 system, which is designed to increase processing efficiency in a unique modular design with ready-to-use reagents. The cobas s 201 system allows signal detection in four separate channels, facilitating simultaneous monitoring of three viral targets (HIV, HCV and HBV) plus a full-process internal control. In addition to HIV, HCV and HBV, the menu of the cobas s 201 system includes tests for West Nile virus, parvovirus B19 (B19V) and Hepatitis A virus (HAV). All Roche blood screening tests are based on Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology (NAT) which offers earlier detection of viruses than traditional serology testing. The cobas s 201 system offers a comprehensive NAT test menu available on a single automated platform.

This latest version of the cobas TaqScreen MPX Test provides increased sensitivity and is the only FDA approved test to simultaneously detect and identify the most critical viral targets in one simple, ready-to-use assay. The combination of viral target detection and identification steps on a fully automated system offers workflow advantages to blood and plasma testing centers by eliminating the need for consecutive rounds of testing, and facilitating earlier donor counseling in the event of a positive result.

Roland Diggelmann, MBA, Chief Operating Officer of Roche Diagnostics, said, “Since 1998, Roche has developed assays and systems designed to protect the blood and plasma supply on a global scale. By continually developing these innovative products we are striving for the highest level of safety for patients and efficiency for blood and plasma centers. This latest approval supports that commitment.”

Related Links:
US Food and Drug Administration
Roche Diagnostics