Abbott introduces vector-borne pathogen test to detect microorganisms carried by insects

Abbott's Ibis Biosciences has introduced a new molecular assay to detect a wide variety of vector-borne microorganisms, including those known to cause Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis. Vector-borne pathogens are microorganisms that are typically transmitted by arthropods such as ticks, mosquitoes or fleas.

The PLEX-ID vector-borne test, which is intended for non-diagnostic use, has been designed to support bioresearch, environmental surveillance, and other activities central to the detection and identification of vector-borne pathogens.

"The PLEX-ID Vector-borne test is a single broad-range molecular assay that can detect a wide array of microorganisms and mixtures of microorganisms in a single specimen," said Mark Eshoo, PhD, Director, New Technology Development, Ibis Biosciences. "The test can identify protozoa, bacteria, and nematodes, in a wide range of specimen types, including ticks, fleas, blood or tissue."

Dr Eshoo led a study in which vector-borne disease surveillance researchers in New York and Connecticut collected 299 blacklegged ticks. The ticks were analyzed using the Ibis technology for a wide range of vector-borne microorganisms. Results showed that two-thirds of the ticks were infected with B burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease, and a third of these positive ticks contained other tick-borne co-infections such as Babesia microti or Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The research demonstrated that the Ibis technology can detect and identify B burgdorferi as well as co-infection in ticks with other vector-borne pathogens quicker than traditional lab methods.