Abbott launches pathogen detection assay for PLEX-ID

Abbott has launched an assay for its PLEX-ID identification system that allows for the detection of a range of dangerous microorganisms.

The new Biothreat Assay is designed for use in the analysis of blood, water, food and air filter samples, providing detection capabilities for 17 different biothreat pathogens.

These include E. coli, salmonella, ebola virus and avian influenza, while the assay is also able to differentiate these specimens from other similar organisms.

It has been optimised to deliver fast results, producing data in less than eight hours, while the PLEX-ID system's existing ability to analyse direct specimens rather than agents grown in culture enables further time savings.

Meanwhile, results from an independent evaluation of the device have shown that it provides "highly sensitive and specific results for biothreat detection in environmental air sample analysis".

Last month, Abbott published its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2010, reporting a year-on-year worldwide sales increase of 13.4 percent.