The assay, FXG: RESP (Asp +), uses real-time PCR technology to accurately and rapidly identify infections caused by both Aspergillus and Pneumocystis, the company said.
According to the company, FXG: RESP (Asp +) can identify Aspergillus and Pneumocystis within four hours, which account for over 95% of cases of fungal pneumonia.
FXG: RESP (Asp +) is said to be a sensitive and specific assay designed to aid healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and treatment of fungal pneumonia. Combining real-time PCR technology with Myconostica’s fungal DNA extraction system, MycXtra, FXG: RESP (Asp +) provides a rapid, sensitive and specific alternative to the traditional techniques used to identify Aspergillus and Pneumocystis infection, the company said.
David Denning, chairman and chief medical officer of Myconostica, said: “Early diagnosis of invasive fungal infection significantly improves the chances of survival. This new test from Myconostica will allow healthcare professionals to rapidly identify those patients infected by Aspergillus or Pneumocystis thus enabling clinicians to prescribe appropriate drugs to treat the infection.”