Abbott Introduces Vector-borne Pathogen Test to Detect Microorganisms Carried by Ticks and Other Insects
Excerpted from PRNewswire ( Posted: 09/10/2011)
ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Abbott’s Ibis Biosciences today introduced a new molecular assay to detect a wide variety of vector-borne microorganisms, including those known to cause Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis. Vector-borne pathogens are microorganisms that are typically transmitted by arthropods such as ticks, mosquitoes or fleas.
The PLEX-ID™ Vector-borne test, which is intended for non-diagnostic use, has been designed to support bioresearch, environmental surveillance, and other activities central to the detection and identification of vector-borne pathogens.
“The PLEX-ID Vector-borne test is a single broad-range molecular assay that can detect a wide array of microorganisms and mixtures of microorganisms in a single specimen,” said Mark Eshoo, Ph.D., director, New Technology Development, Ibis Biosciences. “The test can identify protozoa, bacteria, and nematodes, in a wide range of specimen types, including ticks, fleas, blood or tissue.”
Dr. Eshoo led a study in which vector-borne disease surveillance researchers in New York and Connecticut collected 299 blacklegged ticks. The ticks were analyzed using the Ibis technology for a wide range of vector-borne microorganisms. Results showed that two-thirds of the ticks were infected with B. burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease, and a third of these positive ticks contained other tick-borne co-infections such as Babesia microti or Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The research demonstrated that the Ibis technology can detect and identify B. burgdorferi as well as co-infection in ticks with other vector-borne pathogens quicker than traditional lab methods.
For the complete article: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abbott-introduces-vector-borne-pathogen-test-to-detect-microorganisms-carried-by-ticks-and-other-insects-127454428.html
~ by Rob on September 9, 2011.
Posted in babesiosis, Lyme, Press Release
Tags: Anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Bartonella, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme, Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, ticks
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