ViraCor Laboratories Launches Comprehensive Testing for Fungal Infections

[Guest guest]

ViraCor Laboratories Launches Comprehensive Testing for Fungal

Infections

New testing service saves lives and reduces healthcare costs Service

begins with the introduction of two tests Platelia Aspergillus EIA

and Fungitell B-D Glucan

Oct. 1, 2008

MarketWatch*

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/viracor-laboratories-launches-

comprehensive-testing/story.aspx?guid=%7B2913555D-0F80-4D74-BC75-

257236CEC44D%7D & dist=hppr

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct 01, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ViraCor

Laboratories, a specialty molecular diagnostic reference laboratory

that provides same day turnaround for laboratory tests, today

announced the launch of a comprehensive mycology, or fungus, testing

service that will allow the company to quickly detect potentially

deadly fungal infections in patients. Fast diagnosis of fungal

infections can significantly improve patient outcomes and prevent

the overuse of costly, toxic antifungal therapy.

As part of this new testing service, ViraCor has begun offering two

tests -- Platelia Aspergillus EIA and Fungitell® B-D Glucan --

that together provide the most comprehensive fungal infection

testing available. Both tests have been cleared by the U.S. Food and

Drug Administration (FDA).

" Fungal infections are emerging as a major cause of sickness and

death among transplant and immunocompromised patients. Because these

infections progress so rapidly, fast, accurate diagnosis is critical

to patient health, " said Steve Kleiboeker, PhD and Chief Scientific

Officer of ViraCor Laboratories. " Currently, physicians administer

highly toxic antifungal therapy, which can be expensive and

dangerous, as a precautionary measure in many patients because

symptoms of fungal infections are so vague. With fast turnaround of

accurate test results from ViraCor, doctors have the information

they need to treat patients correctly, reducing the inappropriate

use of drugs, and ultimately saving lives. "

Platelia Aspergillus EIA, which will be marketed as Aspergillus

Galactomannan EIA by ViraCor, tests for Invasive Aspergillosis, one

of the most serious fungal infections. It has mortality rates

reaching 80-100 percent in adults and 75 percent in children with

compromised immune systems. Studies have shown that testing with

Aspergillus Galactomannan EIA can detect Aspergillus infection up to

10 days earlier than traditional testing methods such as cell

culture.

Fungitell B-D Glucan is the only FDA-cleared test for Candida, a

yeast that can act as an opportunistic pathogen in patients with

compromised immune systems and lead to Invasive Candidiasis. In

addition to Candida, the test quickly and accurately detects 9 other

pathogens:

-- Acremonium

-- Aspergillus

-- Coccidioides immitis

-- Fusarium

-- Histoplasma capsulatum

-- Pneumocystis jiroveci

-- Saccharomyces cerevisiae

-- Sporothrix schenckii

-- Trichosporon

To achieve the most effective fungal infection monitoring and ensure

the most accurate diagnosis, ViraCor recommends that Aspergillus

Galactomannan EIA and Fungitell B-D Glucan be used together. As

recommended by the manufacturers of the tests, high-risk patients

should be monitored two to three times per week.

" Many of the fungi in these tests can be found in nature and healthy

humans can breathe them in with very little risk of infection.

However, for patients with compromised immune systems, who cannot

readily fight disease, these fungi can be deadly, " said ,

President of ViraCor. " Since many of the doctors whom ViraCor serves

treat patients with compromised immune systems, fungal infection

testing is an important addition to our test menu. We are committed

to providing clinically relevant tests and unmatched turnaround time

to our customers so they can in turn provide better care to their

patients. This has been our mission since our founding and it is the

core of what we do. "

ViraCor is one of only two national clinical reference laboratories

in the nation that run the Fungitell B-D Glucan test. The company is

the only laboratory to guarantee same day turnaround of Aspergillus

Galactomannan EIA and Fungitell B-D Glucan test results.

ViraCor offers a range of complex, quantitative molecular diagnostic

tests. In addition to Aspergillus Galactomannan EIA and Fungitell B-

D Glucan, the company offers tests for infectious diseases including

BK Virus (BKV), JC Virus (JCV), Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), and

Cytomegalovirus (CMV).

About ViraCor Laboratories

ViraCor Laboratories is a leading molecular diagnostic and research

laboratory dedicated to providing innovative diagnostic testing to

critical care patients and those with compromised immune systems,

with expertise in infectious diseases, including viruses, protozoa

and fungi. The company set the standard for the diagnostic industry

by turning all patient results around in less than 24 hours, unlike

traditional lab results which can take three days to several weeks.

The company is a trusted partner of transplant hospitals nationwide,

including two-thirds of all pediatric transplant hospitals.

www.viracor.com

SOURCE: ViraCor Laboratories

Corporate Contact:

ViraCor Laboratories

Bob Wilhelm, 800-305-5198

bwilhelm@...

or

Media Contact:

Seigenthaler Public Relations

Amy D. Asper, 615-327-7999

aasper@...

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info.- " tigerpaw2c " <tigerpaw2c@...> wrote:

>

> ViraCor Laboratories Launches Comprehensive Testing for Fungal

> Infections

> New testing service saves lives and reduces healthcare costs

Service

> begins with the introduction of two tests Platelia Aspergillus EIA

> and Fungitell B-D Glucan

>

> Oct. 1, 2008

> MarketWatch*

>

> http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/viracor-laboratories-launches-

> comprehensive-testing/story.aspx?guid=%7B2913555D-0F80-4D74-BC75-

> 257236CEC44D%7D & dist=hppr

>

> KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct 01, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ViraCor

> Laboratories, a specialty molecular diagnostic reference laboratory

> that provides same day turnaround for laboratory tests, today

> announced the launch of a comprehensive mycology, or fungus,

testing

> service that will allow the company to quickly detect potentially

> deadly fungal infections in patients. Fast diagnosis of fungal

> infections can significantly improve patient outcomes and prevent

> the overuse of costly, toxic antifungal therapy.

>

> As part of this new testing service, ViraCor has begun offering two

> tests -- Platelia Aspergillus EIA and Fungitell® B-D Glucan --

> that together provide the most comprehensive fungal infection

> testing available. Both tests have been cleared by the U.S. Food

and

> Drug Administration (FDA).

>

> " Fungal infections are emerging as a major cause of sickness and

> death among transplant and immunocompromised patients. Because

these

> infections progress so rapidly, fast, accurate diagnosis is

critical

> to patient health, " said Steve Kleiboeker, PhD and Chief Scientific

> Officer of ViraCor Laboratories. " Currently, physicians administer

> highly toxic antifungal therapy, which can be expensive and

> dangerous, as a precautionary measure in many patients because

> symptoms of fungal infections are so vague. With fast turnaround of

> accurate test results from ViraCor, doctors have the information

> they need to treat patients correctly, reducing the inappropriate

> use of drugs, and ultimately saving lives. "

>

> Platelia Aspergillus EIA, which will be marketed as Aspergillus

> Galactomannan EIA by ViraCor, tests for Invasive Aspergillosis, one

> of the most serious fungal infections. It has mortality rates

> reaching 80-100 percent in adults and 75 percent in children with

> compromised immune systems. Studies have shown that testing with

> Aspergillus Galactomannan EIA can detect Aspergillus infection up

to

> 10 days earlier than traditional testing methods such as cell

> culture.

>

> Fungitell B-D Glucan is the only FDA-cleared test for Candida, a

> yeast that can act as an opportunistic pathogen in patients with

> compromised immune systems and lead to Invasive Candidiasis. In

> addition to Candida, the test quickly and accurately detects 9

other

> pathogens:

> -- Acremonium

> -- Aspergillus

> -- Coccidioides immitis

> -- Fusarium

> -- Histoplasma capsulatum

> -- Pneumocystis jiroveci

> -- Saccharomyces cerevisiae

> -- Sporothrix schenckii

> -- Trichosporon

>

> To achieve the most effective fungal infection monitoring and

ensure

> the most accurate diagnosis, ViraCor recommends that Aspergillus

> Galactomannan EIA and Fungitell B-D Glucan be used together. As

> recommended by the manufacturers of the tests, high-risk patients

> should be monitored two to three times per week.

>

> " Many of the fungi in these tests can be found in nature and

healthy

> humans can breathe them in with very little risk of infection.

> However, for patients with compromised immune systems, who cannot

> readily fight disease, these fungi can be deadly, " said

,

> President of ViraCor. " Since many of the doctors whom ViraCor

serves

> treat patients with compromised immune systems, fungal infection

> testing is an important addition to our test menu. We are committed

> to providing clinically relevant tests and unmatched turnaround

time

> to our customers so they can in turn provide better care to their

> patients. This has been our mission since our founding and it is

the

> core of what we do. "

>

> ViraCor is one of only two national clinical reference laboratories

> in the nation that run the Fungitell B-D Glucan test. The company

is

> the only laboratory to guarantee same day turnaround of Aspergillus

> Galactomannan EIA and Fungitell B-D Glucan test results.

> ViraCor offers a range of complex, quantitative molecular

diagnostic

> tests. In addition to Aspergillus Galactomannan EIA and Fungitell B-

> D Glucan, the company offers tests for infectious diseases

including

> BK Virus (BKV), JC Virus (JCV), Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), and

> Cytomegalovirus (CMV).

>

> About ViraCor Laboratories

> ViraCor Laboratories is a leading molecular diagnostic and research

> laboratory dedicated to providing innovative diagnostic testing to

> critical care patients and those with compromised immune systems,

> with expertise in infectious diseases, including viruses, protozoa

> and fungi. The company set the standard for the diagnostic industry

> by turning all patient results around in less than 24 hours, unlike

> traditional lab results which can take three days to several weeks.

> The company is a trusted partner of transplant hospitals

nationwide,

> including two-thirds of all pediatric transplant hospitals.

>

> www.viracor.com

> SOURCE: ViraCor Laboratories

> Corporate Contact:

> ViraCor Laboratories

> Bob Wilhelm, 800-305-5198

> bwilhelm@...

> or

> Media Contact:

> Seigenthaler Public Relations

> Amy D. Asper, 615-327-7999

> aasper@...

>