Infectious Disease News Round-Up

There have been some fascinating developments in the field of infectious diseases over the last few months. From the identification of the atomic structure of the Ljungan virus, to new methods for the diagnosis of Human Papilloma Virus. This article provides an overview of the most interesting industry and product news.

1. ESCMID is Setting Up Infection Control Committee and Conducts Prescription Survey

The European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease (ESCMID) – an organization that explores the risks and best practices in infectious disease – took the opportunity, ahead of the European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD) on 18 November, to highlight two of the society’s more recent projects in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

2. Aalto Bio Reagents Launches First Zika Virus Antigens

Aalto Bio Reagents has announced the availability of the first full range Zika Virus antigens. Zika virus (ZIKV), the cause of 28 documented outbreaks in the Pacific region since 2012, is a mosquito-borne flavivirus related to yellow fever virus (YFV), dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV) and West Nile virus (WNV). It is a single stranded RNA virus transmitted by the Aedes mosquito.

3. Beckman Coulter and IncellDx Sign Distribution Partnership to Benefit Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Research in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences and IncellDx, Inc. have announced they have signed a distribution agreement which focuses exclusively on clinical researchers in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan working on the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and cancer. The commercial partnership brings the power of multi-parameter flow cytometry to molecular testing, improving workflow while delivering sensitive and highly reliable cell identification.

4. MRF Hails Fantastic African Meningitis Vaccination Programme Which Saves Thousands of Lives

International charity Meningitis Research Foundation welcomes the news from the Meningitis Vaccine Project (MVP) of the virtual elimination of meningococcal Group A (MenA) in Africa.

5. Bio-Rad’s Droplet Digital™ PCR Proves Highly Reproducible at Identifying Viral RNA Mutations in Clinical Samples

Bio-Rad’s Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR™) technology identifies viral RNA mutations in clinical samples with greater precision, sensitivity, and reproducibility than quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (RT-qPCR), according to a new study in the Journal of Virological Methods (November 2015).

6. Scientists Solve Structure of Virus Linked to Diabetes, Infant Death, and Neurological Conditions

An international group of scientists have solved the atomic structure of the Ljungan virus, an infection of rodents that is also associated with a variety of dangerous diseases in humans, including diabetes, neurological disease, and sudden infant death. The identification of the structure could be an important step towards better understanding and treating the virus and augmenting our understanding of virus evolution as a whole.

7. Video: Quantifying the HBV/HDV Viral Load with RoboGene® from Analytik Jena AG

Find out more about RoboGene® HBV DNA and RNA Quantification Kits, ideal for quantifying the viral load to verify therapeutic success. André Reinhardt, Consulting and Sales Diagnostics at Analytik Jena AG, explains how the kits quantify with an absolutely quantification curve, providing the highest reproducibility. The kits are referenced to the WHO standard, and next year will become CE verified.