Rapid diagnostic test for influenza A and B virus
The Alere i Influenza A & B test is the first and only molecular test to detect and differentiate influenza A and B virus in less than 15 minutes. The test is now commercially available in Austria, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and the UK. Molecular testing involves the extraction and analysis of DNA or RNA strands to detect sequences associated with viral and bacterial causes of infections. Alere i Influenza A & B is the first molecular diagnostic test that delivers actionable, lab-accurate results in less than 15 minutes on a user-friendly platform. The proprietary technology utilizes isothermal nucleic acid amplification technology (iNAT), which, unlike polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, does not require temperature cycling and can therefore deliver results more quickly and to a broader range of settings, including point of care as well as laboratory. Each year, a combination of influenza A and B virus strains circulate within Europe. Up to 40,000 people die each year from influenza in the EU, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The disease also poses a significant economic burden including medical care expenses and loss of productivity. Rapid diagnostics with increased sensitivity are essential for the reliable detection of influenza A and B, enabling healthcare professionals to make immediate, effective treatment decisions and prevent unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics and antiviral medications. Rapid diagnosis of influenza can help reduce length of hospital stays, secondary complications and the cost of hospital care, and allow effective implementation of infection control measures.
Supplier: Alere international
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