BioMérieux has announced the CE marking of three dengue fever immunoassays. The fully automated assays run on the firm's VIDAS® systems. These VIDAS® DENGUE assays can be used independently to detect the viral antigen (NS1) and antibodies (IgM and IgG) produced by the host in response to the infection. These three serological tests are recommended by international guidelines.

BioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (systems, reagents, software and services) which determine the source of disease and contamination to improve patient health and ensure consumer safety. Its products are mainly used for diagnosing infectious diseases. The VIDAS® menu covers a wide range of pathologies, including infectious and chronic diseases and a range of tests dedicated to emergency and critical care. It is still the most widely used immunoassay system in clinical laboratories worldwide.

With 100 to 400 million people affected each year, dengue fever is the most common arthropod-borne viral infection worldwide. It is transmitted between humans by certain types of mosquitoes.  The global incidence of this infection has grown over 8-fold during the last 20 years, with the greatest burden observed in Asia (75%) followed by Latin America and Africa.

“This new solution is cost-effective and suitable for low- and middle-income countries where VIDAS® is widely available. It broadens our immunoassay offer against vector borne-diseases that will be further extended to chikungunya”, said Pierre Boulud, Chief Operating Officer, Clinical Operations at bioMérieux.