Roche has launched a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening test for transplant patients at risk of adenovirus infection in countries that accept the CE Mark. It is designed for use with other infectious disease tests on the company's 6800 and 8800 cobas systems.
Transplant patients are immunocompromised and at risk for developing infections, including from adenoviruses. Adenoviruses can lead to a range of conditions -- such as conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, and pneumonia -- that cause complications and organ rejection in transplant patients.
Roche is including the adenovirus test as part of a single platform on its transplant menu, along with screening for cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr, and BK. With both cobas systems, it is possible to perform three tests in the same run with no requirement for presorting, according to the company.