Avian flu diagnosis
Many prominent scientists agree that the transmission of avian flu strain H5N1 to man is likely to result in a catastrophic pandemic in the few next years. Some measures have already been taken in order to control and prepare for the predicted outbreak: confinement and preventive slaughtering of production poultry to reduce risk of transmission between animals, stockpiling of personal safety equipment and antiviral drugs, accelerated research into more effective drugs and vaccines, etc. Despite the fact that international efforts were made to describe, characterize and identify various strains of avian flu, there is a critical area in which existing solutions are yet not satisfactory: early detection of avian infections directly in the field.
The reference method for the laboratory: PCR
Most widely trusted and approved tests rely on the amplification of DNA unique to the target antigen in a method known as Polymerase chain Reaction (PCR). Equipment and labour intensive, PCR is a laboratory technique allowing for a very precise identification of the pathogen responsible for the disease. By this means, public authorities can evaluate the gravity of an outbreak, confirm the specific viral strain responsible (H5N1 type or other) and make the most appropriate decisions to contain the outbreak. But PCR is not a technique applicable for early field detection. In the event of a dramatic increase in suspected cases of infection, this technique would not provide the high throughput necessary to process the large number of tests required by the Authorities.
Rapid, cheap, field tests
A solution that combines field applicability and laboratory reliability
Magnisense replaces the operator’s visual reading with a quantified magnetic reading directly performed by a handheld reader. An automated reading has multiple advantages:
This combination allows for a more comprehensive, more cost effective, reliable and early screening approach. Positive field tests with a higher degree of confidence can then be confirmed at the laboratory by PCR.
One can then effectively dissociate field screening – which must be as comprehensive as possible, from the identification of pathogenic strains in suspect cases – which must be as specific as possible.
The performance of the Magnisense technology permits a more thorough and defensive field screening strategy for the surveillance of avian flu.
Many prominent scientists agree that the transmission of avian flu strain H5N1 to man is likely to result in a catastrophic pandemic in the few next years. Some measures have already been taken in order to control and prepare for the predicted outbreak: confinement and preventive slaughtering of production poultry to reduce risk of transmission between animals, stockpiling of personal safety equipment and antiviral drugs, accelerated research into more effective drugs and vaccines, etc. Despite the fact that international efforts were made to describe, characterize and identify various strains of avian flu, there is a critical area in which existing solutions are yet not satisfactory: early detection of avian infections directly in the field.
The reference method for the laboratory: PCR
Most widely trusted and approved tests rely on the amplification of DNA unique to the target antigen in a method known as Polymerase chain Reaction (PCR). Equipment and labour intensive, PCR is a laboratory technique allowing for a very precise identification of the pathogen responsible for the disease. By this means, public authorities can evaluate the gravity of an outbreak, confirm the specific viral strain responsible (H5N1 type or other) and make the most appropriate decisions to contain the outbreak. But PCR is not a technique applicable for early field detection. In the event of a dramatic increase in suspected cases of infection, this technique would not provide the high throughput necessary to process the large number of tests required by the Authorities.
Rapid, cheap, field tests
| Since 2005 faster and cheaper field tests have been developed. These are lateral-flow membrane rapid tests offering results in a few minutes. Easy-to-use, they can be performed in the field by relatively unskilled workers. They are immunoassays, providing an early indication of the | ||
| infection of the bird by a type-A influenza virus.Positive samples with this technique are then confirmed by PCR technique at laboratory for a more precise identification of the strain. In this approach, these tests can be used for large scale field screening. So far, the approval of these tests has been subject to restrictions by regulatory Authorities due to the well-known drawbacks of lateral-flow membrane tests: subjectivity, questionable data integrity. |
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A solution that combines field applicability and laboratory reliability
Upgrading one of these rapid tests, Magnisense has developed a method combining:
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Magnisense replaces the operator’s visual reading with a quantified magnetic reading directly performed by a handheld reader. An automated reading has multiple advantages:
- greater reliability because it does not depend on light quality nor on the test duration
- traceable and quantitative
- greater accuracy
This combination allows for a more comprehensive, more cost effective, reliable and early screening approach. Positive field tests with a higher degree of confidence can then be confirmed at the laboratory by PCR.
One can then effectively dissociate field screening – which must be as comprehensive as possible, from the identification of pathogenic strains in suspect cases – which must be as specific as possible.
The performance of the Magnisense technology permits a more thorough and defensive field screening strategy for the surveillance of avian flu.
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| > Avian flu |
| > Tetanus |