Comprehensive and rapid H5N1 bird flu test kit developed

A comprehensive and rapid H5N1 bird flu test kit has been developed by researchers from the Experimental Therapeutics Centre (ETC) in conjunction with Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) in Singapore.

The new pharma kit will allow for doctors to test for existing strains of the H5N1 virus in a single test with close to 100 per cent accuracy. Results from the test will also be available within a few hours, which cuts the need to send samples off elsewhere. The new technology provides a big boost to the public healthcare system as well as making strides in pandemic preparedness against this highly infectious disease worldwide.

Dr Masafumi Inoue, a senior research scientist and project director of Technology Development from ETC and Dr Timothy Barkham, a senior consultant of Laboratory Medicine from TTSH developed the test kit, which has been clinically validated by several hospitals in Southeast Asia.

Dr Inoue said: “We are excited to be able to contribute to the fight against the H5N1 virus with our expertise and know-how. Our technology has greatly simplified and accelerated the process of detection and identification of new H5N1 variants. Such information is especially critical when the virus mutates to become more dangerous, such as in drug resistance.”

Currently the gold standard for H5N1 detection recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) is only able to detect three out of the ten distinct genetic groups. The new kit, more accurately known as the H5N1 real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) assay, is the first and only kind of kit that can accurately and rapidly detect all strains within a matter of hours.

It is also compatible with the previously launched “4-plex” Influenza diagnostic kit. Although there have been any reported cases of the H5N1 virus in Singapore, the ability to detect and characterise influenza strains remains important in the management of the disease.

Posted by Neil Clark