New Urinary Antigen Immunodiagnostic Assay Enables High-Throughput Qualitative Detection of Legionnaires' Disease

Legionnaires' Disease (LD), a severe form of atypical Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), is primarily caused by the Legionella species in patients needing hospitalization. L. pneumophila sg 1 is responsible for 50 to 80% of LD cases globally. Sg 4 and 6, along with L. longbeachae, L. micdadei, and L. bozemanii, contribute to the majority of the remaining non-L.pneumophila sg 1 LD cases. If misdiagnosed or left untreated, LD can quickly deteriorate, leading to increased mortality rates. The death rate from LD can reach 40-80% in untreated immuno-compromised patients, but can be reduced to 5-30% with accurate identification and proper case management. Now, a new assay improves the diagnosis of atypical pneumonia by providing precise identification of the LD.

DiaSorin (Saluggia, Italy) has introduced the novel LIAISON Legionella Urinary Antigen Immunodiagnostic Assay, approved in all countries recognizing the CE Mark, as a tool for diagnosing LD. The assay, which is conducted on the LIAISON CLIA analyzers, offers a highly automated solution for microbiology laboratories. Using a simple test procedure, LD can be identified in a mere 35 minutes, enabling prompt and focused antimicrobial treatment. The LIAISON Legionella Urinary Ag assay, with its innovative "dual-antigen" design, can detect two Legionella's antigens (LPS and PAL), enhancing its sensitivity and specificity. This empowers healthcare practitioners to accurately identify antigens of Legionella pneumophila and Legionella longbeachae.

"The launch of this new assay confirms our ability to position DiaSorin as a specialty player, able to provide innovative solutions with a high medical value," said Chen Even, Chief Commercial Officer of DiaSorin. "We are confident that our new assay will strongly contribute in discriminating etiological factors in severe atypical pneumonia."

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