For Detection of West Nile Virus :
NucliSens® Basic Kit* Using Real-Time NASBA Technology
DURHAM, NC - bioMérieux, Inc. announces quick, real-time results for the detection of West Nile Virus with the NucliSens® Basic Kit and bioMérieux's new NucliSens® EasyQ System. This simple test combines bioMérieux's proprietary nucleic acid sequence based amplification technology (NASBA) with molecular beacon probe detection in the EasyQ System, giving laboratories a real-time test for the West Nile Virus.
The NucliSens Basic Kit with real-time NASBA technology is an important tool for laboratories and Departments of Health who will be supporting the surveillance, prevention and control of the West Nile Virus, particularly in the wake of the recent announcement by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of a $10 million increase in funding for West Nile Virus control efforts.1 NASBA technology has been cited by the CDC as one of the diagnostic methods that may be used to confirm West Nile Virus.2 The Basic Kit's West Nile Virus application was developed in collaboration with the CDC in 2000. The new real-time NASBA application has been shown to detect West Nile Virus faster than other PCR based methods, based on the procedure described by Lanciotti, et al. in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.3
West Nile Virus is a potential encephalitis-causing Arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes. As of August 8, 2002, state health departments have noted 113 cases, with 5 deaths; in 2001, 66 cases and 9 deaths; in 2000, 21 cases and 2 deaths; and in1999, 62 cases and 7 deaths (in New York).4
An excellent test for West Nile Virus, NASBA technology can selectively amplify RNA sequences in a DNA background, making it ideal for detecting RNA targets, confirming viral replication, and measuring gene expression. In the EasyQ System, newly generated RNA molecules from NASBA are hybridized to molecular beacons and detected real-time by continuous monitoring of fluorescence with the NucliSens Analyzer. The EasyQ System can amplify and simultaneously detect up to 48 samples in as little as one hour.
The West Nile Virus application is just one of a number of ready-to-use protocols for the NucliSens Basic Kit, which has expanded to include over 80 RNA targets - many of which are being converted to real-time applications with the EasyQ System. The Basic Kit provides everything needed for amplification and detection from a wide variety of sample types. Custom assay development for additional user-defined RNA targets also can be accomplished with on-line support through the company's Basic Kit web site available for registered NucliSens® users.
bioMérieux is based in France and specializes in infectious disease diagnostics, coagulation diagnostics, and industrial microbiology control. It is the eighth-largest biological diagnostics company in the world and is the international leader in the field of microbiology. For more information on bioMérieux, visit www.biomerieux-usa.com. For more information on the NucliSens Basic Kit and the EasyQ System for real-time detection of the West Nile Virus, call L. Grosso at 919-620-2094.
*For in vitro laboratory use
NOTE: The NucliSens Basic Kit does not contain target-specific amplification primers and detection probes; these should be obtained by the user from a third party manufacturer. The NucliSens Basic Kit is a general-purpose reagent and is not labeled for a specific diagnostic use and has no clearance by the US FDA for use. Analytical and performance characteristics have not been established by bioMerieux and we make no claims, representations or guarantees for use of the NucliSens Basic Kit in combination with target-specific amplification primers and detection probes. bioMérieux points out that the use of its NucliSens Basic Kit with specific primers and/or probes may require a license under one or more patent(s) held by third parties. It is the user's responsibility to obtain such license(s). bioMérieux does not support or encourage the unlicensed or unauthorized use of its NucliSens Basic Kit and disclaims any liability resulting from such use.
User-protocols provided on the web site-hosted database provide a basis for development of in house assays. bioMérieux points out that these protocols are not regulatory approved for diagnostic use.
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Website www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r020809.htm. August 8, 2002.
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epidemic/Epizootic West Nile Virus in the United States: Revised Guidelines for Surveillance, Prevention, and Control. April 2001.
3 Lanciotti RS and Kerst AJ. Nucleic Acid Sequence-Based Amplification Assays for Rapid Detection of West Nile and St. Louis Encelphlitis Viruses. JCM, Dec. 2001; 4506-4513.
4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Website. www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/q&a.htm, August 8, 2002.
NucliSens is a registered trademark of bioMérieux.
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