Luminex Corporation and University Hospital of Wales Collaborate During Olympic Games
6 Aug 2012
Public Health Wales is using Luminex's CE marked xTAG Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel (GPP) for outbreak investigation activities during Olympic and Paralympic training and events taking place in Wales. Results of a substantial diagnostic validation of the GPP test conducted by The Public Health Wales Microbiology laboratory team at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, are anticipated to be published in a peer reviewed journal.
Luminex's xTAG GPP received CE mark in 2011 and is the most comprehensive test available to diagnose gastrointestinal infections. xTAG GPP is a qualitative molecular multiplex diarrhea test intended for the simultaneous detection and identification of multiple gastrointestinal pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The assay uses the proprietary Luminex xTAG Technology and the xMAP® Technology platform to detect multiple targets in a single sample. xTAG GPP can detect Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) such as C. difficile or norovirus, foodborne illness agents like E. coli or Salmonella and common pediatric diarrhea causatives such as Rotavirus.
"We are very pleased with the performance of the assay to date in our validations comparing it to our traditional methods," said Michael Perry, Clinical Scientist within the National Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Public Health Wales. "The ability to generate answers during a single work shift for a majority of the pathogens involved in gastroenteritis, compared to traditional methods which would have taken 2 days in some cases and much more work to return the same amount of information, is a significant advance."
"Seeing the contribution of our technology innovations and ability to make a positive impact in public health makes us very proud," said Patrick J. Balthrop, president and CEO of Luminex. "We are pleased to work with thought leaders like the Molecular Laboratory team at Public Health Wales, Cardiff, who continue to advance healthcare and public safety."