Diagnostics for Respiratory Pathogens

A multiplex solid-phase hybridization set of reagents can be used to develop and validate assays for the detection of the sequences of six human respiratory viruses prevalent during the flu season.

The analyte-specific reagents (ASR), called NGEN RVA, can be used to develop assays that can detect the sequences of, and differentiate among, influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza 1, 2, and 3. The assays can be performed with various sample types, including nasal swabs, and can be used as clinical diagnostic tests. Included with the reagents are a research-use-only real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) probe and primer for the identification of the influenza A and B viruses.

The reagents, available from Nanogen, Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA), were developed in cooperation with Prodesse, Inc. (Waukesha, WI, USA), a leading supplier of molecular-based reagents for infectious diseases. The reagents have received the CE Mark.

The reagents target a nucleic acid sequence also found in the H5N1 strain of the influenza, known as the avian flu virus. Labs interested in screening for avian flu can choose between the real-time PCR research reagents or the set of ASRs that can be validated for clinical use.

"Traditionally, labs testing for flu have been limited to choosing between simple rapid tests, which often lack sensitivity and specificity, or culture-based tests that are slow to get results,” noted Howard C. Birndorf, chairman and chief executive officer of Nanogen. "Our advanced molecular-based technologies offer clinical and research labs additional options.




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