Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PR Newswire; Tuesday June 30, 10:00 am EST
"The rLAV EIA provides both improved sensitivity and specificity over Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur's current LAV EIA for detecting antibodies against HIV-1 in serum, plasma, and dried blood specimens," says Dr. Charles A. Foerder, Product Development Manager at Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur in Redmond. "The new test demonstrates a broad reactivity with diverse sub-types of HIV-1, and maintains cross-reactivity with HIV-2".
The Genetic Systems rLAV EIA, like the previously-approved LAV EIA, incorporates a purified HIV-1 viral lysate in the antibody capture phase, but also includes a highly purified antigen that contains immunodominant regions of HIV-1 env gene products. This recombinant antigen dramatically improves seroconversion sensitivity to HIV-1.
The new test will be provided for use in public health settings and hospitals where testing in combination with HIV-2 is not indicated or necessary. It is validated for use on Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur's microplate instrument platforms and can be added to existing systems.
The test was researched and developed by Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur and is an advancement over the company's currently available HIV-1 test. The company also markets an HIV-1/HIV-2 test.
"Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur is pleased to be able to offer diagnosticians this significant technological advancement to our Genetic Systems LAV test which has been used in laboratories for HIV diagnosis since 1986," says Reed Simmons, Vice President and General Manager of Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur in Redmond.
"Its ease of use and robust performance will provide labs with additional confidence when providing this critical diagnosis."
Between one and two million people in the United States are believed to be infected with HIV, predominately HIV-1. The number of HIV infected persons is increasing at a rate of nearly five percent each year. HIV is a blood-borne virus transmitted primarily by unprotected sex or shared use of intravenous needles.
Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur (800-424-9117) researches, develops and markets in vitro diagnostic tests and systems for the detection of a variety of human diseases and disorders. It is a subsidiary of the global healthcare company Sanofi, with headquarters in Paris, France.
SOURCE: Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur
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