The fully automated, high-throughput assay for hepatitis D virus RNA is available on cobas 5800/6800/8800 systems in CE mark-accepting countries.
Roche has introduced the cobas HDV test for use on the cobas 5800, 6800, and 8800 systems, a diagnostic tool for the detection and quantification of hepatitis D virus RNA. The test is available in countries accepting the CE mark, according to a company press release.
The high-throughput, fully automated HDV test addresses a need for consistent testing, as many current methods are limited to manual processes or lab-developed tests that can vary in consistency, according to the company release. By automating the testing process, laboratories can deliver results more efficiently and integrate the assay into existing workflows on systems already used.
“This is an important advancement of our commitment to improving outcomes for people living with liver disease,” says Matt Sause, CEO of Roche Diagnostics, in a release. “With the cobas HDV test, we are providing clinicians with a reliable tool to aid in the identification of infected individuals and to monitor their response to treatment.”
HDV is a satellite virus that only infects people who already have the hepatitis B virus. It affects an estimated 12 million people globally, according to the World Health Organization. Infection can occur as a co-infection or a super-infection. Super-infection is particularly dangerous, with more than 90% of cases becoming chronic and accelerating liver damage, according to the press release.
The virus is transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, leading to a faster progression toward liver failure, cirrhosis, and liver cancer compared to other forms of hepatitis. Symptoms include jaundice, extreme fatigue, abdominal pain, and nausea.
The introduction of the test coincides with the increasing availability of specific treatments for the virus, which require precise monitoring to advance patient care. Because the virus requires HBV to replicate, vaccination against HBV remains the most effective way to prevent infection.
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