We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

GRIFOLS DIAGNOSTIC

Bioscience division carries out all activities relating to plasma products for therapeutic use, including research, d... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Automated Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) System Screens Blood Donors for Malaria

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 10 Jun 2022
Print article
Image: Procleix Plasmodium Assay is the first nucleic acid test for malaria blood screening to receive CE mark (Photo courtesy of Grifols)
Image: Procleix Plasmodium Assay is the first nucleic acid test for malaria blood screening to receive CE mark (Photo courtesy of Grifols)

Plasmodium is a mosquito-borne parasite that causes malaria and is responsible for more than 240 million infections and 620,000 deaths annually. The protozoan parasite creates a significant risk for both blood safety and availability. Screening blood donors can reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM) and enhance blood availability by reducing the number of donors rejected and deferred due to malaria risk. Now, a nucleic acid test (NAT) for blood donor screening detects the presence of Plasmodium to improve blood safety.

Grifols’ (Barcelona, Spain) Procleix Plasmodium Assay, designed for NAT, uses magnetic-based target capture, Transcription-Mediated Amplification (TMA) and chemiluminescence to detect the presence of specific ribosomal RNA sequences of five species of Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria in humans (P. falciparum, P. knowlesi, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. vivax) in whole blood specimens from blood donors. The high sensitivity and specificity of the Procleix technology enables pathogen detection to reduce the risk of transfusing infected blood or blood components, even when the donor does not exhibit symptoms and traditional screening techniques are not able to detect the presence of the pathogen, or the antibodies against it. The assay runs on the widely adopted Procleix Panther System, an automated NAT instrument from Grifols.

Currently, risk for malaria in blood donors is typically evaluated using a questionnaire in which donors who declare having traveled to or prior residence in malaria-endemic areas are temporarily deferred. Blood banks and collection centers could decide that deferrals could be unnecessary if donors were tested and found negative using the Procleix Plasmodium Assay. The assay has obtained the CE mark, the first for an automated NAT system specifically validated for screening blood donors for malaria, and will be available in all markets accepting the CE mark certification.

"We are excited to announce the CE mark certification of an additional Procleix assay, demonstrating Grifols' continued commitment to transfusion safety," said Antonio Martínez, President, Grifols Diagnostic Business Unit. "Certification of the Procleix Plasmodium Assay enhances the ability of blood banks in Europe to provide safer blood transfusions."

Related Links:
Grifols 

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
Fully Automated Cell Density/Viability Analyzer
BioProfile FAST CDV

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.