header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 29
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys


questdiagnosticsQuest Diagnostics, the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services, announced Wednesday the availability of a new antibody test service that aids the diagnosis of infection with the Zika virus.

The service is based on the Zika Immunoglobulin M (IgM) Antibody Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (Zika MAC-ELISA), developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The CDC has licensed the test to Quest Diagnostics and other select national reference laboratories to aid the response to the Zika emergency in the United States.

With the new service, Quest Diagnostics now provides access to Zika virus antibody and molecular laboratory test services for people in the United States as well as Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. Healthcare providers in other countries may also refer specimens for Zika testing to Quest. Quest Diagnostics was the first commercial laboratory to receive FDA emergency use authorization for a Zika test, on April 28, 2016. That molecular test is intended for the qualitative detection of RNA from Zika virus in human serum specimens. On September 6, Quest expanded its molecular Zika test capabilities with the introduction of an RT-PCR Zika test service for the qualitative detection of RNA from Zika virus in serum and paired urine specimens.

Molecular RT-PCR tests identify the presence of Zika virus RNA in a specimen, while antibody serology tests identify the presence of antibodies created by the body in response to infection. Molecular RT-PCR testing is most useful up to 14 days after the onset of symptoms, depending on sample type and other factors, while IgM antibody testing is most useful two to 12 weeks following the onset of symptoms.

“Quest now provides physicians and patients with access to a robust, complementary range of Zika test options for aiding diagnosis of Zika infection,” said Rick L. Pesano, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, research and development, Quest Diagnostics. “Quest’s national scale, diagnostic expertise and relationships with half the country’s physicians may be an increasingly important complement to public health response should the number of suspected Zika cases and demand for testing grow in the United States.

“We are particularly gratified to provide these services in Florida, where the first local transmission has been documented and where Quest Diagnostics operates a significant service infrastructure,” Dr. Pesano added.

Quest operates approximately 2,300 patient service centers across the United States, more than any other commercial laboratory provider. Approximately 260 of these centers are in Florida, the first state to document cases of local transmission. Patients can provide specimens for testing at any one of these centers with a physician test order.

In addition, many healthcare providers can also collect patient specimens in their offices for testing by Quest Diagnostics. Quest Diagnostics serves half the physicians and hospitals in the United States each year.

“Commercial labs such as Quest Diagnostics can play an essential role in public health response to emerging infectious diseases like Zika,” said Scott Becker, executive director, Association of Public Health Laboratories. “These organizations bring expertise, scale and logistics support, as well as access to healthcare providers and patients, that complement and extend the capabilities of our nation’s public health labs.”

Quest Diagnostics performs testing for its proprietary Zika RT-PCR test as well as the CDC-based Zika MAC-ELISA test at its Focus Diagnostics laboratory, a reference laboratory business of Quest Diagnostics in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Quest performs the molecular RT-PCR Zika test for use on serum and paired urine specimens at its advanced laboratory in Chantilly, Virginia.

Zika is an infectious disease spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes, from mother to fetus during pregnancy, and through sexual transmission. Symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes (conjunctivitis). Zika infection during pregnancy may cause microcephaly and other birth defects. In February 2016, the World Health Organization declared an international public health emergency and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared significant potential for a public health emergency due to Zika.

According to the CDC, there were 20,870 confirmed cases of locally acquired and travel-associated Zika virus disease cases in the United States and U.S. territories as of September 14, 2016; 3,176 of these are in the United States. Among the 50 states, the largest number of identified cases (639) is in Florida, with 43 of those cases locally acquired.

Quest Diagnostics is a leader in infectious disease testing services, with a broad menu of molecular, antibody, and other test services to aid diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. Quest offers a comprehensive range of testing services for the flaviviruses dengue fever and Chikungunya as well as Zika.

 

About the Quest Diagnostics Zika Test Services

The Zika tests provided by Quest Diagnostics and its Focus Diagnostics laboratory business have not been FDA cleared or approved. These tests have been authorized by FDA under emergency use authorizations and are only authorized for the duration of the declaration.

The Zika tests are intended for patients meeting CDC’s Zika virus clinical criteria (e.g., clinical signs and symptoms associated with Zika virus infection) and/or CDC Zika virus epidemiological criteria (e.g., history of residence in or travel to a geographic region with active Zika transmission at the time of travel, or other epidemiologic criteria for which Zika virus testing may be indicated). The diagnosis of Zika virus infection must be made based on history, signs, symptoms, exposure likelihood, and other laboratory evidence in addition to the identification of Zika virus. The tests should not be used as the sole basis for patient management decisions. Within the United States, all positive and negative results of these tests are reported as required to State and local Public Health authorities.

For more information about the company’s Zika test services, visit www.QuestDiagnostics.com/Zika

 

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world’s largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve health care management. Quest Diagnostics annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our 44,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

No Comments

    Leave a Comment


    Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
    1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
    Newhall Cowboys
    Los Angeles County Public Works is updating the Los Angeles County Bicycle Master Plan.
    April 16:  County Bicycle Master Plan Virtual Community Meeting
    College of the Canyons mens golf got back on track during its return to conference play on Monday, carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
    Cougars Win Again, Keep Conference Streak
    Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
    County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
    Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
    April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
    The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
    Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
    Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
    March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
    To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
    California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
    The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
    April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
    PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
    PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
    1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
    Bouquet Reservoir
    The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
    California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
    The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
    April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
    The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
    March 27 Ocean Water Warning
    As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
    SCVEDC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
    Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
    April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
    Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
    SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
    California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
    Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
    Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
    March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
    Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
    April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
    The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
    Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
    California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
    State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
    1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
    C.A. Mentry
    SCVNews.com