New molecular and serological testing methods are being deployed to monitor the Andes strain following a reported outbreak.

Eurofins companies are developing new diagnostic solutions and monitoring a hantavirus outbreak associated with the Andes strain.

As of May 12, 11 hantavirus cases and three deaths associated with a cruise ship outbreak have been reported. While the World Health Organization (WHO) expects more cases, the organization indicates “there is no sign that we are seeing the start of a larger outbreak.”

Molecular Detection in the United States

In the US, Eurofins Viracor is working to validate quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and next generation sequencing (NGS) molecular detection assays for the virus. The laboratory is currently developing an NGS assay designed to identify known respiratory pathogens, including all hantavirus strains.

Although the Food and Drug Administration has not yet issued an Emergency Use Authorization for a hantavirus molecular test, Eurofins Viracor notes in a release that it is monitoring the situation. The company intends to use in vitro transcribed RNA for test validation purposes, an approach it previously utilized for SARS-CoV-2 testing in 2020 before positive samples were available, says the release.

International Diagnostic Capabilities

Eurofins laboratories in Europe are also deploying specific testing capabilities to support health authorities:

  • Spain: Eurofins Clinical Diagnostic Spain currently uses molecular hybridization with PCR amplification for the direct detection of hantavirus, including the Andes strain, using both molecular and serological techniques.

  • France: Eurofins Biomnis partners with the French reference centre as a screening laboratory for hantavirus. While the lab has experience detecting six common strains, establishing a specific test for the Andes strain in France would require sample possession and authorization from the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety.

  • Germany: Gold Standard Diagnostics Frankfurt offers ELISA assays to detect hantavirus IgG and IgM antibodies in human plasma or serum. Developed in conjunction with the German reference centre for hantavirus, these tests provide results in two hours.

For veterinary diagnostics, the company also offers assays for the qualitative determination of IgG antibodies against hantavirus in veterinary serum, according to a release from the company.

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