High-Throughput Instrument and Assays Introduced in Europe

The PLEX-ID apparatus, which is based on molecular diagnostic technologies, addresses a significant unmet need for rapid detection and identification of a broad range of microbes that cause infections in patients combining the high levels of sensitivity and specificity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology with the precision and accuracy of mass spectrometry.

The instrument provides results in less than eight hours instead of the days or even weeks required for traditional culture methods. The unique advantage of the system is the ability to characterize a very wide range of microorganisms directly from clinical specimens, thus minimizing both the amount of time and laboratory work required to provide physicians important information they can use to best tailor treatment for the patient. The three assays that are available for the PLEX-ID are the PLEX-ID Viral IC Spectrum, PLEX-ID BAC Spectrum BC and PLEX-ID Flu.

The PLEX-ID Viral IC Spectrum assay is designed to detect and identify 11 viral families with more than 250 species of important systemic viral pathogens, including herpes simplex virus (HSV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human adenovirus, human Enterovirus, BK and JC polyomaviruses, and parvovirus B19, directly from plasma specimens. The PLEX-ID BAC Spectrum BC assay can detect and identify nearly 400 species of bacteria, and also can detect the presence of genetic markers that determine bacterial resistance to certain antibiotics. In addition, the test can identify and classify species of Candida, a fungus that is an increasingly common cause of serious systemic infections. The assay performs this analysis on blood culture positive specimens. The PLEX-ID Flu assay is intended for detection and identification of known influenza A viruses, newly emerging influenza A strains, and influenza B. The PLEX-ID system is a product of Abbot Ibis Biosciences (Wiesbaden-Delkenheim, Germany).

Jacques Schrenzel, MD, head of the Bacteriological Laboratory, (University Hospital Geneva, Switzerland) said, "Ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate antimicrobial therapy as rapidly as possible has the potential to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing, and help to reduce or slow the development of resistant bacterial strains." Murthy Simhambhatla, PhD, head of Abbott’s Ibis Biosciences business, said, "PLEX-ID is the only available diagnostic technology that is capable of identifying a wide range of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and certain parasites in hours. The introduction of the PLEX-ID provides physicians and laboratorians a revolutionary new platform for the rapid etiologic identification of a wide variety of pathogens in patients."

Related Links:
Abbot Ibis Bioscience
University Hospital Geneva