Researchers develop diagnostic test for pathogens

Increasing international travel, trafficking in wildlife, political instability, and terrorism have made emerging infectious diseases a global concern. Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF) are of specific concern because they are associated with high morbidity and mortality (up to 80% mortality rates), and the potential for rapid dissemination through human-to-human transmission.

The term “viral hemorrhagic fever” characterizes a severe multi-system syndrome associated with fever, shock, and bleeding caused by infection with one of a number of viruses, such as Ebola or Marburg.

“Currently, there is no way to treat most of these outbreaks,” stated Dr Ian Lipkin, professor of epidemiology, neurology and pathology at Columbia University. “The most important first step is diagnostic – rapid identification of the exact pathogen responsible for an outbreak of disease is critical for containment and the implementation of public health measures, especially in instances where the agents are encountered out of their natural geographic context.”

While other tools exist for the detection of VHF agents, none offers the sensitivity and speed of this new diagnostic screen, which incorporates MassTag PCR technology – providing the ability to simultaneously consider multiple agents, thereby reducing the time needed for differential diagnosis.