SYSMEX CORPORATION

  Sysmex Corporation (HQ: Kobe, Japan; President: Hisashi Ietsugu; hereinafter referred to as "Sysmex") announced the launch of its research reagent for detecting avian-derived influenza virus nucleoproteins on November 13, 2009.
  This kit do not react to seasonal influenza viruses ("human influenza viruses"), but instead selectively detect avian-derived influenza viruses in about ten minutes.
  Able to detect various types of avian influenza virus, this kit has the potential for wide application at research laboratories for the detection of new strains of avian-derived influenza viruses which may develop in the future.

  Outbreaks of avian influenza have continued to occur in many parts of the world with cases of infection and death in humans still being reported. Given this situation, there are lingering concerns over the possibility of an avian influenza triggering a pandemic among humans.

  This new kit for detecting avian-derived influenza virus nucleoproteins does not react with human influenza viruses^*1 but selectively detects avian influenza viruses^*2 only. In the past, special analyzers using gene amplification and other techniques were necessary to differentiate avian influenza viruses from human viruses. In contrast, the procedure using this kit is extremely simple. A prepared sample is dropped onto a test paper and avian influenza viruses are selectively detected in approximately ten minutes.
  While it was not possible to differentiate avian influenza viruses from human viruses with conventional rapid diagnosis kits, the joint research conducted by Sysmex and the Osaka Prefectural Institute of Public Health led to the development of a technique which is able to identify the slight differences that exist between the avian and human influenza strains in terms of the structure of nucleoproteins inside the virus, allowing for simple and rapid selective detection of avian influenza viruses.

  Able to detect various types of avian influenza viruses, this kit has the potential for wide research application for the detection of any new strains of avian-derived influenza viruses which may develop in the future.
  Sysmex will begin marketing this new kit to research institutions first, but aims to develop products for clinical application in the future.

*1 Confirmed with a total of 19 strains of cultured influenza viruses including type A viruses (H1N1, H2N2, H3N2) and type B viruses isolated from humans
*2 Confirmed with a total of 18 strains of cultured type A influenza viruses (from H3 to H15) isolated from birds

[About the product]
- Product name: Detection Kit of Avian Influenza Virus Nucleoproteins
- Number of tests; 10 per kit (per package)
- Detection time: 10 minutes
- Marketed in: Japan

[Product photo]