Mast launches new assay for tuberculosis testing

Mast has introduced a new assay product aimed at providing fast and accurate testing for tuberculosis.

The science company’s new GenoQuick MTB product is a three-hour PCR assay which detects for mycobacterium tuberculosis using a highly conserved complex specific DNA target.

It states that this allows for a high degree of sensitivity and specificity, while a lateral flow dipstick with built-in amplification and conjugate controls helps to further guarantee the reliability of results.

The company said: “The simple procedure allows laboratories of all levels of expertise to use the GenoQuick MTB to obtain a result far quicker than conventional methods.”

According to the firm, this form of tuberculosis is one of the world’s most common infections, with around nine million new cases arising each year.

Last month, the company released the Hain Lifescience GTQ-96 thermocycler, a device which allows for the storage and management of data from GenoQuick test systems.