Press Releases

05, August 2011

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Extended Field of Application of PROGEN Hantavirus Diagnostics

PROGEN Biotechnik GmbH, a subsidiary of november AG, has extended the field of application of their well-established Hantavirus Hantaan IgG & IgM ELISA for serological diagnosis of hantavirus infections.

For this purpose, human clinical samples tested positive for hantavirus antibodies of the Hantaan or Dobrava serotypes were tested in parallel for IgG and IgM antibodies in a Hantaan and a Dobrava ELISA. Consistent results were achieved with both ELISA tests. Furthermore, the cross-reactivity with Puumala virus, described in literature, was confirmed in all tested IgG serum samples. Particularly surprising in all cases was the strong reaction of Hantaan- and Dobrava-positive samples as well in the Hantavirus Hantaan ELISA.

The results clearly suggest that for diagnosis of a possible Dobrava virus or also Hantaan virus infections the Hantavirus Dobrava/Hantaan IgG and IgM is highly suitable. For the physician this means significant cost reduction and considerable time-saving as now with one diagnostic test can be used to detect two serotypes. With this extended field of application for the newly defined Dobrava/Hantaan ELISA PROGEN is taking into account the increasing internationalization of risks of infection as a result of changed leisure and travel activities. In cases of confirmed suspected hantavirus infections, the travel anamnesis of the patient allows assignment to the Dobrava or Hantaan serotype.

PROGEN Hantavirus Diagnostics
In addition to the ELISA test for the detection of Hantavirus Dobrava/Hantaan IgG & IgM and Hantavirus Puumala IgG & IgM, PROGEN´s product range also includes indirect immunofluorescence tests for the detection of antibodies against Hantavirus Dobrava/Hantaan, Puumala and Seoul serotypes. (For more information, refer to www.progen.de/hantavirus.)

More Details on Hantavirus and Its Distribution:
Hantaviruses are single-stranded RNA viruses of the Bunyaviridae family, widespread and strictly associated with their serotype-specific reservoir hosts. They cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Europe and Asia and lead to hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) in America. The severity of the disease depends on the infecting virotype with case fatality rates from 0.1% - 10% for HFRS and 25% - 35% for HCPS.

HFRS is caused by Hantaan virus and the closely related Dobrava virus as well as Seoul and Puumala virus. Hantaan virus is endemic in Asia, the Dobrava virus serotype is found in Europe. Hosts for both viruses are rodents of the Apodemus genus. In Germany, the predominant serotype is Puumala, hosts are bank voles (Myodes glareolus). Occurrence of Dobrava virus infections in Central Europe is insignificant; increased to predominant distribution, however, in Eastern and Southern Europe and the Balkans, spread by striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius), yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and Black Sea field mouse (Apodemus ponticus).

Viral carriers are rodents, transmission to humans occurs via inhalation of virus-containing particles from excretions of host animals or through direct contact. People at high risk are predominantly hunters, lumbermen, soldiers, joggers, campers and gardeners. Inhalation of virus-containing particles during home activities in sheds, garden sheds, attics, basements or outside when composting is also possible.

For regular updates on risks of infection and disease spreading as well as current epidemiologic data please refer to www.rki.de and Surv-Stat@rki and the epidemiologic bulletins of the Robert-Koch-Institute.
 
Hantavirus Product Range of PROGEN Biotechnik GmbH:

november AG has set up a special news portal for its subsidiaries PROGEN Biotechnik GmbH and Multimetrix GmbH. Here you may find the companies´ latest reports and recent news on in-vitro diagnostics, research reagents and Luminex® technology. Also published is information on new commercial products, new distribution partnerships and participation in research projects. The Internet News Portal Diagnostics of november AG is located at: www.november.ag

For further informations, please contact:
Investor Relations november AG