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A test that differentiates the H1N1 virus from two seasonal flu strains will soon be used in Europe, a pharmaceutical company has announced.
Drug giant Gen-Probe said that ProFlu-ST assay had received its CE (Conformite Europeenne) Mark, enabling it to be sold in the EU.
The test uses a molecular technique called polymerase chain reaction to identify three forms of the flu virus – 2009 H1N1 influenza, influenza A/H1 and influenza A/H3.
Steve Kondor, Gen-Probe’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, said: “Many experts expect continued high levels of 2009 H1N1 infections this flu season, along with a return of either or both of the seasonal flu strains, so we believe the ability of the ProFlu-ST assay to differentiate among the strains can help physicians provide personalized care.”
The test can be used in conjunction with ProFlu+ assay, which was CE-marked in 2007.
Copyright Press Association 2009
