"We are excited to introduce the second test in our PCR-based infectious disease diagnostic portfolio in the EU," said Hong Cai, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mesa Biotech, Inc. "The Accula RSV brings reference laboratory performance to the point of care, enabling clinicians to quickly and accurately diagnosis and treat their patients."
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an RNA virus attributable to outbreaks of respiratory tract infections. RSV infections can occur throughout the year, but typically peak during the winter months. Studies indicate that nearly 100 percent of children will suffer from RSV infections by age two. RSV viruses not only cause upper respiratory tract infections but also bronchiolitis of the lower respiratory tract, which often becomes severe in infants and toddlers with underlying diseases. Diagnosis of RSV is difficult because the initial symptoms can be similar to those caused by other infectious agents. Considering that the RSV virus is highly contagious, accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment of patients can have a positive effect on public health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global burden of RSV-associated acute lower respiratory infection is estimated at 33 million annually, resulting in more than 3 million hospitalizations and almost 60,000 in-hospital deaths in children under five years of age.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) acknowledges that the specificity and sensitivity of rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDT) are lower than for viral culture and RT-PCR and vary by test. The Accula System, a palm-sized, reusable dock with disposable test cassettes, offers the simplicity, convenience and procedural familiarity of traditional POC rapid immunoassays, while providing the superior sensitivity, specificity and information content of laboratory-based PCR testing. The Accula RSV test is indicated for use with nasal swab collection, which is less invasive than nasopharyngeal swabs and provides a more comfortable specimen collection experience for the patient, especially children.
About Mesa Biotech Inc.
Mesa Biotech designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes next generation molecular diagnostic tests, bringing the superior diagnostic performance of nucleic acid PCR amplification to the point-of-care (POC). Mesa Biotech's Accula™ System consists of a portable, palm-sized dock and disposable, assay-specific test cassettes. This patented system enables healthcare professionals to access actionable, laboratory-quality results at the POC with greater sensitivity and specificity than current infectious disease rapid immunoassay tests. The Accula Flu A/Flu B Test, Mesa Biotech's first product to market, has obtained CE Mark in the EU and 510(k) clearance and Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments (CLIA) waiver from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).