BD introduces pertussis test for BD Max system

BD has announced the introduction of a Bordetella pertussis/parapertussis real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kit from Diagenode for its BD Max system.

The real-time PCR kit has been CE-marked and validated to run on the system using the BD Max ExK DNA-1 Extraction Kit – an open system reagent – thus paving the way for the product's European commercial launch.

Bordetella pertussis is responsible for 30-50 million cases annually of the contagious respiratory disease commonly referred to as pertussis or whooping cough, making its timely detection essential to prevent the spread of the disease.

Gregory Meehan, vice-president for product planning at BD's diagnostic systems division, said: "The Bordetella pertussis/parapertussis real-time PCR kit expands the syndrome-specific menu offering through our partner assays with a test that is timely and highly relevant in meeting the market need."

This comes after BD and Diagenode introduced a selection of new BD Max assays for the detection of gastrointestinal tract infections earlier this year.