Release date: 2006-10-17
Merck Introduces a Groundbreaking Rapid Method for Detecting Legionella in Environmental Samples
In October 2006, Merck KGaA introduced a revolutionary lateral flow assay that enables the rapid and simultaneous detection of all Legionella species. This innovative test, named Duopath Legionella, offers a faster and more reliable alternative to traditional methods. Notably, it can specifically identify Legionella pneumophila, the most common and virulent strain, using the same testing procedure.
The Duopath Legionella test is designed for use with colonies grown on specialized media such as Buffered Charcoal Yeast Extract (BCYE) agar or BCYE supplemented with selective components. This makes it particularly effective for analyzing water and environmental samples where Legionella contamination may be present.
One of the key advantages of this new method is its high sensitivity, which significantly reduces the chances of false-negative results. In a comparative study against the widely used latex agglutination assay, Duopath Legionella demonstrated 100% sensitivity for Legionella pneumophila and 92% sensitivity for other Legionella species. In contrast, the latex method only achieved 98% and 37% sensitivity, respectively.
This advancement represents a major step forward in Legionella detection, offering laboratories a faster, more accurate, and more efficient way to monitor and manage potential outbreaks. The test is now available through Merck KGaA, based in Darmstadt, Germany, and has been widely adopted by medical and environmental testing facilities around the world.
Source: Meditech Medical Network
FOSHAN PHARMA CO., LTD. , https://www.forepharm.com