NanoLogix, a biotechnology innovator in the rapid detection and identification of live-threat bacteria, is featured today in the USA Today Group B Strep (GBS) Awareness Campaign titled Your guide to Group B Strep. The campaign featured in the USA Today News Section promotes public education on the dangers of GBS in newborns and highlights the latest testing methods to help prevent the disease. Research using NanoLogix BNF technology, from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston (UTHSC), is featured in the campaign. While GBS culturing methods typically take 48 hours of incubation to obtain results, this research from UTHSC documents that NanoLogix technology can detect, identify and provide antibiotic sensitivity results for GBS in as little as four hours, four times faster than conventional methods.
"It's an honor to be included in this GBS awareness campaign," said NanoLogix CEO Bret Barnhizer. "The strong readership of USA Today is a tremendous opportunity to help pregnant women understand the dangers of Group B Strep and the critical importance early testing plays in the health of their newborns. We look forward to our rapid tests supporting the protection of many newborns and mothers from this life-threatening disease, both in the US and abroad."
According to Dr. James A. McGregor, M.D.C.M of Group B Strep International, "Untreated, Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection is the most common germ-related killer of newborn babies. More accurate, rapid result tests for GBS can target use of antibiotic at birth with possible reduction of resistance to antibiotics and help avoid unnecessary disturbance of the healthy, protective bacteria inside mother and baby. Parents appreciate doctors keeping Group B Strep in mind to reduce possible infections before, during, and after pregnancy. Accurate rapid testing when labor starts or water breaks can help maximize protection from GBS infection for babies at birth."
Marti Perhach, CEO/Cofounder of Group B Strep International stated, "I first contacted NanoLogix about a year ago when I heard they were developing a new rapid test to detect Group B Strep. Having an accurate rapid test available is extremely important, especially as women may test negative during routine screening, but be positive during labor and delivery. Group B Strep International's mission is to promote awareness and prevention of Group B Strep disease in all babies throughout pregnancy and early infancy. As sponsors of July as International Group B Strep Awareness Month, we invited Nanologix to participate in our awareness campaign. We are so appreciative of their efforts in GBS awareness and the excellent information they have made available to the general public through USAToday.com." For further information on Group B Strep awareness and prevention, please visit www.groupbstrepinternational.org.
If Group B Strep-colonized mothers give birth before antibiotics can be administered, the bacteria can be passed to the newborn, causing life-threatening infections, such as meningitis and sepsis. According to the CDC, about 25 percent of women test positive for Group B Strep and on average 1,200 American newborns less than a week old contract the disease.
The 7-day campaign featured on USA Today.com will run until Monday August 6th. Also included in the GBS Awareness campaign are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, the Center for Vaccine Awareness & Research, and the Group B Strep Association.
NanoLogix is a biotechnology company focused primarily on rapid diagnostics. Its products offer accelerated detection and identification of microorganisms. In addition to medical and homeland security applications, NanoLogix technology is applicable in pharmaceutical, industrial, veterinary and environmental testing. Patents granted to NanoLogix can be used in the areas of applied microbiology, soil microbiology and bioremediation, microbial physiology, molecular biology, pharmacology, pharmaco-kinetics, and antibiotic sensitivity.