HTLV I/II Test from Abbott Approved
Abbott Laboratories received marketing clearance from the FDA for a new test that evaluates HTLV I and HTLV II. News of the approval was posted on the Abbott website.
The test is run on the Abbott Prism laboratory system; it can be used to assess either blood or plasma samples for the presence of the two retroviruses. This is the first fully automated test to screen for HTLV I /HTLV II. The test is nott intended for use in pooled samples.
HTLV I and II screening is associated with a leukemia subtype as well as a number of neurologic conditions. The U.S. blood supply is screened for both.
The Prism system was already approved by the FDA for hepatitis applications, including four different tests to assess patients for hepatitis.
January 25, 2008 Related topics: Laboratory, Infectious Diseases, Product Approval & Certification, Laboratory Equipment