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Norwood, MA, April 10,2000 - IMUGEN Diagnostics Laboratories announces the introduction of in-house Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing for common tick borne diseases.
PCR is a high tech laboratory methodology which has revolutionized the ability to diagnose many infectious diseases. IMUGEN has perfected the use of PCR as it applies to diagnosing Lyme disease, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis (HGE). Lyme disease is the most common vector-transmitted disease in the United States. Babesiosis and ehrlichiosis are emerging, more recently recognized infectious diseases transmitted by the same deer tick that transmits Lyme disease. PCR is generally considered to be a breakthrough in diagnosing many illnesses because it is capable of directly detecting very small numbers of the infecting agent.
According to IMUGEN CEO/Senior Scientist, Victor Berardi, "PCR offers major advantages over traditional laboratory tests, which have depended on culture, direct visualization of the organism, or measurement of the antibody response in the infected individual." For example, PCR can detect Lyme disease organisms in the joint fluid of patients with Lyme arthritis when it would be difficult or impossible to culture or directly visualize them. PCR can detect ehrlichia organisms very early in the course of an acute infection, far earlier than possible by any other laboratory test - crucial in the this occasionally fatal infection. There are many other valuable and exciting clinical applications of PCR in the management and diagnosis of these diseases.
Prior to the availability of PCR testing at IMUGEN, they were available via a cooperative effort involving Dr David Persing, a world renowned researcher in PCR and molecular diagnostic technologies, formerly of the Mayo Clinic, now at CORIXA, Seattle, WA.
Dr Persing commented that "PCR has truly revolutionized our diagnostic strategies for many infectious diseases. It provides invaluable information which supplements traditional laboratory tests such as culture, and serologic (antibody) tests."
IMUGEN Diagnostic Laboratories is a world leader in the diagnosis of Lyme disease and other tick borne infections. IMUGEN has provided these tests to many hospitals, clinics, and physician practices in the most endemic areas for these diseases, and has pioneered and published in research and test development for the diagnosis of tick borne infections.
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