New Pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 Detection Kit Released

A kit has been released that enables the sensitive and specific detection of the Influenza A/H1N1, the virus that causes the so-called "swine flu", as well as of all other known Influenza A and B virus strains. It was designed for use by governments and public health institutions as part of the efforts to identify and control outbreaks of pandemic influenza strain A/H1N1.

The new artus Influenza/rotor gene/light cycler real time polymerase chain reaction (RG/LC RT-PCR) kit provides accurate results in approximately 40 minutes. Many current molecular solutions and most antigen-based H1N1 tests either take up to several hours to produce results or, in the case of rapid protein-based tests, have been found to have a low sensitivity in detecting the virus.

Complementing Qiagen's (Hilden, Germany) existing portfolio of products for H1N1 screening and surveillance, the new kit can also detect infections with other known Influenza A and B strains that might emerge during the upcoming flu season. The rapid turn around time of the test will result in faster reporting of results, an important factor in monitoring and controlling outbreaks.

Designed for use with Qiagen's automated sample and assay technologies such as the thermo cycler Rotor-Gene Q, the test is also compatible with certain other platforms used in laboratories worldwide, allowing it to be quickly adopted and run on existing instruments without the need for additional training.

"With Qiagen's new test and our existing solutions to support Tamiflu/Oseltamivir resistance testing, we offer healthcare professionals powerful tools not only to quickly and reliably detect the origin of flu-like symptoms in patients, but also to profile the pathogen and thus to rapidly take the necessary actions to control an outbreak," said Peer Schatz, CEO of Qiagen.

The new kit was introduced at the World Economic Forum "Annual Meeting of the New Champions" that took place in Dalian, China, on September 10-12, 2009.

The government of Saudi Arabia is evaluating the possibility of implementing Qiagen's new artus Influenza/H1 RG/LC RT-PCR kit as a screening solution in time to help contain the spread of the virus during the Mecca pilgrimage (November 25-29, 2009).

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