DNA-Based Test Rapidly Detects Sepsis Pathogens

With the specific and fast identification of bacteria, fungi, and antibiotic resistance, the test has the potential to guide the antibiotic therapy in the early therapeutic window that determines the course and prognosis of the septic patient.

Called Vyoo, the polymerase chain reaction- (PCR)-based test was developed by SIRS-Lab (Jena, Germany). It detects 40 bacterial and fungal species that cause life-threatening infections. Simultaneously it identifies five important instances of antibiotic resistance. The high sensitivity of Vyoo is achieved by Looxster, which is based on SIRS-Lab's Pureprove technology for the enrichment of bacterial and fungal DNA. This reduces the signal-noise problem caused by the DNA background in complex human samples.

The system is unaffected by previous antibiotic therapy and starts directly from up to 5 ml whole blood samples. In microbiology laboratories, Vyoo will be an effective system for the analysis of complex blood samples. It can smoothly be integrated in the workflow of the laboratory using standard PCR equipment. No special training is required.

Dr. Marc Lehmann, SIRS-Lab's chief developer, remarked, "First retrospective studies will be presented to international experts at the Congress ‘Sepsis and Multiorgan Dysfunction' on September 6, 2007 in Weimar, Germany. These data document an increased hit-rate and dramatically reduced time-to-result as well as proved ease-of-use.”

SIRS-Lab is a diagnostic company that develops products to identify and monitor life-threatening infections such as sepsis, the major cause of death in hospitals.


Related Links:
SIRS-Lab