Abbott Laboratories announced a co-marketing agreement with Medical Analysis Systems Inc (MAS), a Fisher Scientific International Inc company, for the VecTest family of antigen-based assays, including a rapid test for detecting the West Nile virus in infected mosquitoes.

The proprietary VecTest products, developed and manufactured by MAS, also include rapid tests for detecting malaria and Saint Louis encephalitis in infected mosquitoes. MAS also will provide a rapid test for detecting the West Nile virus in infected birds following regulatory approval.

State and local health authorities can use the VecTest to monitor mosquito populations, a major carrier of the West Nile virus. Detection of the virus in mosquitoes or birds is an early indicator that a particular area is at risk of infection and allows public health teams to respond quickly. The test can be performed in less than 20 minutes and results can be visually read and easily interpreted.

Under the agreement, MAS will manufacture the tests and Abbott will have rights to market the product worldwide.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, and can infect people, horses, many types of birds, and some other animals. Most people who become infected with the West Nile virus will have either no symptoms or only mild ones. However, on rare occasions, the West Nile virus infection can result in a severe and sometimes fatal illness.

Abbott is also developing a laboratory test to detect human antibodies to the West Nile virus in recently infected individuals. The company plans to submit a marketing application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in early summer.