The CE Mark certification has been received by the global healthcare company Abbott towards a new test for detecting the Neissera gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) sexually transmitted pathogens. This will enable the company to sell the product in the European Union (EU). The test will be conducted through the Abbott m2000™, which uses real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and magnetic particle technology.
Where sexually transmitted diseases are concerned, gonorrhea and chlamydia are the most common, and accurate detection of these diseases can serve to avoid serious illness at a later stage. The European laboratories will be able to get highly reliable test results through the combination of the Abbott m2000 system and the Abbott RealTime™ CT/NG assay. The amplified nucleic acid tests can be done on urine samples in a non-invasive manner. Processes like molecular tests, sample preparation and data analysis are automated through the use of the m2000.As many as 300 million sexually transmitted diseases infections occur across the world annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), of which gonorrhea accounts for 55 million and chlamydia accounts for another 85 million. No symptoms are seen in the case of these diseases in 10% of the men and 80% of the women who are infected, even though they are fully capable of infecting others with the disease.
If they are not properly treated, it can result in serious complications like urethritis, sterility, and pelvic inflammatory diseases. Antibiotics are capable of curing both the strains of the disease. Abbott has an alliance with the Celera Diagnostics in Europe through which the test will be made available. Tests are being conducted to detect the hepatitis B virus and HIV/AIDS also through the Abbott m2000 system.
