French scientists roll out rapid diagnostic test for Ebola

 FIERCE DIAGNOSTICS                            Oct. 23, 2014

By Emily Wasserman

French scientists are developing a diagnostic tool that works similar to a home pregnancy test and can quickly identify the virus through a tiny fluid sample.

  CEA's Ebola testing kit uses strips to rapidly identify the presence of the virus in fluid samples.--Courtesy of France's Atomic Energy  Commission

France's Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is teaming up with European pharma company Vedalab to roll out a user-friendly testing system than could diagnose Ebola in less than 15 minutes, the agency said in a statement. The kit, dubbed "Ebola eZYSCREEN," includes a hand-held device that reads small samples of blood, plasma or urine to detect the virus, and shows results in stripes through a window on the tool.

Unlike other Ebola kits, CEA's test can be used in the field and does not require any additional lab equipment. The agency validated its diagnostic technology earlier this month at a high security lab in Lyon, France, and plans to kick off clinical trials of its prototype kits in Ebola-stricken countries by the end of October.

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http://www.fiercediagnostics.com/story/french-scientists-roll-out-rapid-diagnostic-test-ebola/2014-10-23

Direct link - French - Vedalab
http://www.vedalab.com/SITE_VEDALAB_WEB/FR/default.awp