A large clinical study has been published in Plos One validating the accuracy of the diagnostic blood test ImmunoXpert used to distinguish an infection as either bacterial or viral. This easy blood test can quickly tell a practitioner the cause of an infection, leading to a more informed and immediate course of treatment.
Many times, the signs and symptoms of bacterial and viral infections are indistinguishable. This has lead to a massive overuse of antibiotics, which in turn has lead to antibiotic resistance of crisis proportions. This test can cut down the cost of prescriptions for patients who may have otherwise been prescribed unnecessary antibiotics.
On the other hand, patients who have bacterial infections can receive a more timely and specific treatment, which may lead to a faster recovery.
The test works by decoding the body’s immune response to an infection. Researchers have identified three soluble proteins that are uniquely activated by bacteria or viruses. Over 1,000 patients with acute infections were enrolled in the study and the results showed the test to be fast, accurate and reliable. It can also diagnose infections that are not readily accessible like pneumonia.
Currently, the ImmunoXpert test is approved for use in Isreal and the European Union. More clinical studies are underway and US trials are currently in development.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/291384.php
