Siemens Healthineers announces CE-marked assay for Zika virus detection

February 07, 2017 | 15:42

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Siemens Healthineers, part of German industrial conglomerate Siemens AG, recently announced its CE-marked immunoassay - the Novagnost® Zika Virus IgM µ-capture Assay- which is now commercially available to laboratories outside of the US.

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The assay enables enhanced patient outcomes through differential diagnostics according to the World Health Organization (WHO) test algorithm.

The assay is capable of detecting the Zika virus during the acute phase of infection, approximately a few days after the onset of symptoms.

Together with the recently announced real-time molecular VERSANT® Zika RNA 1.0 Assay (kPCR), Siemens Healthineers is now offering laboratories Zika assays both for immunoassay and molecular detection.

The Novagnost Zika Virus IgM µ-capture Assay is user-friendly, utilising the same dilution and reagents as other Novagnost assays.

The assay can be performed on the BEP® III1 and BEP 2000 Advance® Systems and is validated for use on plasma and serum.

“As the Zika virus continues to rise as a global public health concern, there is an increased focus on detecting the Zika virus during the acute phase of infection,” said Franz Walt, president, Laboratory Diagnostics, Siemens Healthineers.

“With the introduction of the Novagnost Zika Virus IgM µ-capture Assay, Siemens Healthineers completes laboratories' virus testing menu by delivering assays for both immunoassay and molecular detection.”

Siemens Healthineers aims to enable healthcare providers around the world to meet their current challenges and outperform in their respective environments.

By By Mai Thuy

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