bioMérieux, a world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics, has now introduced NucliSENS EasyQ, a novel molecular biology test for HIV. The product was unveiled at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID). NucliSENS EasyQ HIV-1 v2.0 is a test able to detect even very low viral load levels in AIDS patients, offering one of the highest degrees of sensitivity.
The company provides one of the broadest product offers available to laboratories outside the US market for diagnosing and monitoring HIV infection. It has constantly been at the forefront of innovation in the fight against AIDS, developing one of the first screening tests and going on to bring the first automated assay, the first fourth generation screening tests and first real-time viral load test on the market.
Diagnostic screening and viral load monitoring tests play a critical role in the early detection and management of HIV infection. These tests make it possible to prevent further transmission and improve patient care. With regular viral load monitoring, clinicians are able to detect resistance to treatment and adjust patients' regimens accordingly, enhancing their quality of life.
"We have been in the area of HIV testing for over 25 years and constantly engaged in the development of new testing solutions to meet the changing needs of clinicians and their patients. This test is an updated version of NucliSENS EasyQ HIV-1 v1.2 runs on its molecular diagnostics platform, NucliSENS EasyQ, with patented NASBA real-time amplification and detection technology," stated Stéphane Bancel, chief executive officer of bioMérieux.
NucliSENS HIV-1 v2.0 provides the fastest results, in less than three hours. The test can be used with both plasma samples and Dry Blood Spot (DBS) samples. bioMérieux is the only company to offer a CE approved Dry Blood Spot protocol for viral load monitoring. In this simple protocol, contrary to liquid samples, no preparation of the blood is needed and the sample is absorbed onto filter paper, eliminating the need for refrigerated transport and storage before extraction even in tropical climate. Samples can be collected at local health clinics with no need for a laboratory and skilled technicians. The DBS protocol meets the need for a standardized and validated procedure for any remote laboratory in a limited-resource setting.
At lest 31 per cent of people with HIV/AIDS in low- and middle- income countries receive ART (anti retroviral therapy). DBS is of particular interest for countries scaling up their viral load monitoring as the number of patients receiving ART increases. Before the DBS protocol, patients often had to travel to be tested but now that is not required with remote healthcare settings access enabling patients who could previously not be monitored to receive treatment.