New diagnostic kit to detect respiratory syncytial virus (the main cause of bronchiolitis) and differentiate it from flu-like syndrome and SARS-CoV-2
 

• Recent weeks have seen a rise in flu and bronchiolitis in Spain, especially in over-75s and under-5s
  


• The company Vitro S.A. provides a kit to detect respiratory syncytial virus (the cause of most cases of bronchiolitis in babies), influenza A, influenza B and SARS CoV-2
  


• The RESPI+ kit is an in vitro diagnostic kit which not only helps diagnose the disease but also provides valuable information for epidemiology and vigilance
  

Madrid, 19 December 2022

A rise in flu-like syndrome and bronchiolitis has been detected in Spain in recent weeks during late November and early December, especially among the over-75s and under-5s. According to figures from the latest reports by the Carlos III Health Institute Acute Respiratory Infection Epidemiology Vigilance System (SiVIRA), in week 48 of 2022 (28 November to 4 December), the rate for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in primary care was 131 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and 161 and rising for flu cases.

This rise in bronchiolitis means there are now three main respiratory viruses in Spain (RSV, flu and COVID), as well as other less serious ones, causing an increase in hospitalisation rates and overcrowding and collapse in hospital emergencies. To help in the diagnosis of bronchiolitis, Vitro S.A. provides professionals with a kit to detect RSV, influenza A, influenza B and SARS-CoV-2.

The RESPI+ kit is an in vitro diagnostic kit for the simultaneous qualitative detection and differentiation of these viruses, which not only helps diagnose the disease but also provides valuable epidemiological and vigilance information on bronchiolitis.

This respiratory disease is a common seasonal infection that affects the lower respiratory tract in babies and children under 2 years of age and adults aged over 75, causing mild to moderate respiratory failure. RSV is the main cause of bronchiolitis and the leading cause of hospital admissions in children under 2. The virus mainly propagates in direct contact with nasal and throat secretions and some of the risk factors for babies are: age under 6 months, lack of breastfeeding and birth before week 37 of gestation.

As Francisco Javier Fernández, CEO of Vitro S.A. states, “In our company we work on innovative and useful research to develop advanced and effective detection tools to help diagnose this infection. In this case, we have developed a highly comprehensive and reliable kit, as it incorporates the enzyme Uracil-DNA glycosylase (UNG), to avoid contamination with previous PCR products.”

The kit also includes specific primers and fluorescent probes to simultaneously detect the human RNasaP gene, as an internal quality control for the starting and amplification materials. This means it is the only test on the market that is ready to use with an option for total automation and which includes an open system compatible with most of the thermal cyclers on the market.