Rapid PCR Reagents for Herpes Virus and Bordetella

New real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reagents have been designed to help laboratories detect sequences associated with varicella-zosta virus (VZV, or human herpes virus 3) and Bordetella bacteria.

Nanogen (San Diego, CA, USA) offers new PCR products that utilize detection chemistry for laboratories to develop multiple diagnostic assays. The superbases (Super A ,S, T, G, and N) and Nanogen's proprietary MGB technology allow the use of shorter probes with increased sensitivity to mismatches, which is essential for detecting short conserved sequence.

"Reagents that can be used for laboratory-developed tests to detect VZV and Bordetella are the latest addition to Nanogen's MGB alert real-time PCR analyte-specific reagents (ASR's),” said Howard Birndorf, Nanogen chairman and CEO. "Diagnosis by real-time PCR is possible within a few hours, as compared to traditional culture methods that can take several days.” PCR tests are also regarded as more accurate and sensitive than currently available direct immunofluorescent assays (DFAs).

VZV causes chicken pox and reactivation of the virus can trigger the painful neurologic disorder known as shingles. The pathogen can also cause severe reactions in immunocompromised individuals, such as patients receiving chemotherapy and in children with leukemia and lymphoma. Rapid diagnosis is necessary to determine whether or not to begin a course of antiviral therapy. In addition, the number of atypical VZV cases has risen and there is a need for laboratory confirmation of physicians' diagnoses.

Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis cause whooping cough. Currently, the vaccine for Bordetella is only approved for children under seven and does not provide life-long protection. In addition, the vaccine is not completely effective. Therefore, whooping cough can occur in vaccinated individuals, especially teens and adults.

Nanogen's technologies are designed to improve methods and tools to predict, diagnose, and treat disease. Its products include real-time PCR reagents, the Nanochip electronic microarray platform, and rapid diagnostic tests.




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