Avian Flu Surveillance Centres Use Qiagen Products

In a survey conducted at year-end 2005, Qiagen has established that more than 80 bird flu surveillance institutions are now using QIAGEN preanalytical products and test kits as standard tools in their surveillance programs. QIAGEN believes that this represents a significant majority of all institutions involved in the global monitoring of this virus, making QIAGEN the leading provider of molecular assays and preanalytical and assay components for avian flu.

Tests for the avian flu (H5N1) virus using QIAGEN tools are highly specific, sensitive and fast. Subject to local regulatory requirements, they address both human and veterinary applications. The assays are based on real-time PCR and include assays that detect H5 and H5N1 viruses within 75 minutes, with very high analytical sensitivity.

QIAGEN’s range includes a specific avian flu (H5N1) detection kit targeting veterinary, import/export control and quarantine needs. This test was launched in 2004 in Asia and was the first product approved by a governmental authority specifically to detect H5N1 in animals. The real-time RT-PCR detection methods for Avian Influenza Virus, jointly developed with the Beijing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine, was approved as the new National Standards by the China State Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision (CSBTS) and China Association for Standardization (CAS) for the Chinese markets in late 2005.

QIAGEN’s artus ™ Influenza/H5 LC RT-PCR Kit is a specific, sensitive and fast test of avian virus and combines a broad screening test ( RealArt ™ Influenza LC RT-PCR Kit) which detects both influenza A and B viruses, with a highly specific detection of characteristic nucleic acids (RNA) of the H5N1 virus strains.

The test comes in a ready to use master mix format and can be combined with QIAGEN’s purification technology for virus RNA QIAamp ® . This combination and an integrated control system dramatically reduce the risk of false results. During the development of the assay the sequences of all H5N1 isolates known to date have been considered.

In addition, a number of protocols recommended by various government agencies to test for avian flu in animals and humans have adopted QIAGEN tools as standard components.

QIAGEN's influenza detection products are for research use only. They have not been cleared or approved by authorities including the United States Food and Drug Administration or any other regulatory agency in the United States, or under the European IVD Directive, for human diagnostic or other clinical use, and are not intended and should not be used for human diagnostic or any other clinical purposes.