ViroMed announces availability of flu testing, including assay to diagnose avian flu

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, Dec. 1 - ViroMed Laboratories, Inc. announced Thursday the availability of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for the typing of influenza A strains, including the avian flu H5N1 strain.

In addition to the influenza A typing assay, a real-time PCR test for three common respiratory pathogens, influenza A, influenza B and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), is now offered, according to a company news release.

Both tests can be performed directly on respiratory samples or on culture viral isolates, officials said.

"The addition of these tests further enhances ViroMed's comprehensive respiratory pathogen test menu," Myla Lai-Goldman, executive vice president, chief scientific officer and medical director of parent company Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, said in the release.

The rapid molecular tests detect the presence of common influenzas and other respiratory pathogens, while providing specific typing information for strains such as the H5N1 avian flu strain, officials said.

"As flu season approaches and concerns about avian flu mount, the level of detailed information these tests provide will be useful for the surveillance and monitoring of influenza activity. Faster diagnosis also leads to appropriate and cost effective antiviral treatment sooner and brings peace of mind to physicians and their patients by expeditiously identifying the cause," Lai-Goldman added.

A subsidiary of LabCorp, ViroMed, based in Minneapolis, Minn., offers molecular microbial testing using real-time PCR platforms, molecular infectious disease testing, safety testing for tissue and eye banks and the clinical-trials testing for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and contract-research organizations.

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