Biomerieux has launched the Vidas EBV test for the detection of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
This virus causes 80 per cent of cases of infectious mononucleosis (IM), which is often known as 'the kissing disease' because it is transmitted through saliva.
Infectious mononucleosis causes sufferers significant fatigue that can last for several months.
The Vidas test is especially useful for doctors, since IM symptoms are similar to those of other diseases that are infectious (such as strep throat, toxoplasmosis, rubella) or non-infectious.
Vidas EBV helps to avoid the inappropriate prescription of antibiotics to patients by clinicians.
Diagnosis also enables doctors to advise their patients on curtailing contact sports or avoiding alcohol, and to make recommendations regarding certain medications intended to prevent rare but serious complications.
Developed by Biomerieux, this test comprises a panel of three markers that must be used together in order to detect specific antibodies and determine the stage of infection.
The test was developed on the automated Vidas system, which offers robustness and reliability.
Vidas EBV has received CE approval and provides rapid results in 40 minutes.
It is an addition to the tests already available on the Vidas platform for the detection of toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus infections - two diseases that cause the same symptoms as the Epstein-Barr virus.
