In a move to combat pandemic influenza in 2009,Sysmex bolstered its supply of influenza test kits.
Anticipating another pandemic caused by avian-derived viruses, which are said to pose a threat even greater than that of last year’s swine-derived influenza, Sysmex also worked to develop reagents capable of selectively detecting avian influenza viruses (research reagents for detecting avian-derived influenza virus nucleoproteins).
Preparing for a Resurgence of Pandemic Influenza
Japan in May 2009
First reported in April 2009, a new strain of influenza affected Japan’s first carrier in the following month, and it subsequently hit its peak toward the end of November in this country. Following that outbreak, the number of patients began to decrease until the situation had almost completely calmed down as of March 2010, but it is necessary to remain cautious about a possible resurgence.
The strain that had run rampant in this case was derived from swine, but it was an influenza strain of avian origin, a pandemic of which had been predicted by the World Health Organization (WHO). Since 2003, carriers of this influenza virus have been found in Asian countries, with the fatality rate reaching nearly 60%. We are thus required to prepare a healthcare system in anticipation of a possible pandemic of avian-derived influenza viruses, while at the same time providing measures to counter a possible resurgence of swine-derived influenza.
Reported Cases of Influenza A (H1N1) Infection in Japan
Number of cases reported each week, surveillance of patients hospitalized from the H1N1 virus by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) of Japan (as of March 31, 2010)
Source : Influenza Fixed Point Report, MHLW (April 2, 2010)
Bolstered Supply of Influenza Test Kits
Since the new strain of influenza broke out in Japan, Sysmex has doubled the production capacity of its influenza test kits in response to ever increasing demands.
In more concrete terms, we increased the workforce at the Seishin Factory in Hyogo, which is responsible for the production of reagents used in the kits, while at the same time urgently procuring the materials necessary for reagent production. During the twelve months from April 2009 to March 2010, we supplied about 187,000 packages of our kits. Going forward, we are planning to quintuple our capacity (vs. FY2008) by introducing automated production equipment so that we can promptly meet any sudden rise in demands.
No matter how high our capacity becomes, however, the supply could be hindered if influenza were to spread among our employees. On the assumption of a pandemic influenza virus infection, in June 2009 Sysmex drew up an action plan to ensure that the “supply of products and equipment repair are continued to avoid any confusion at testing laboratories” and that “employee safety is secured.” In order to take necessary action promptly and accurately, this action plan sets forth clear principles that concern preventing infection, saving emergency stocks, and establishing an emergency countermeasures headquarters.
Reagent production equipment at the Seishin Factory
Influenza Virus Detection Kit “POCTEM S Influenza”
Developed New Reagent for Avian Flu Research
Research Reagent for Detecting Avian-derived Influenza Virus Nucleoproteins
Fiscal 2009 also saw our R&D team work on the development of products for researching the new avian-originated strain of influenza.
In the past, special analyzers using gene amplification and other techniques were necessary to differentiate avian influenza viruses from human viruses. The drawback of such techniques is that there are only a few specialized institutions that possess such analyzers, and that the testing process takes several hours.
In order to offer solutions to such problems, Sysmex teamed up with the Osaka Prefectural Institute of Public Health to develop a technique that enables the identification of slight differences existing between avian and human influenza strains in terms of the structure of nucleoproteins inside the virus. This technique led to the birth of a research reagent for detecting avian-derived influenza virus nucleoproteins that does not react to human influenza viruses*1. By simply applying a drop of a sample to a test paper, avian-derived influenza viruses*2 can be selectively detected in just around ten minutes.
We released this reagent in November 2009 for research institutions first, but we aim to develop clinical products for diagnosis applications 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
Last year, the influenza virus was running rampant throughout the world, but Japan was able to limit its spread to a relatively small scale. This is because the national government acted both promptly and pertinently-although some criticized its “excessive” reaction-and because medical professionals and the general public dared to face this menace single-mindedly.
When the infection is spreading like wildfire, doctors and clinical technologists are urgently making diagnoses, and every second counts. I expect to see a test kit that gives results in a shorter time. Also, I would like the manufacturer to fulfill its important mission of generating stable supply by ensuring that test kits are made available throughout the country, should there be a recurrence of pandemic influenza.
