Native Antigens to Improve Diagnostic Testing for Human Metapneumovirus

 First isolated in 2001, hMPV in an important cause of community-acquired acute respiratory infection.  Serious illness may occur in the very young and in those who are chronically ill or immunosuppressed. The identification of hMPV infection has predominantly relied on real-time PCR which can be time consuming and costly.  The availability of this native antigen provides the in-vitro diagnostic manufacturer with the opportunity to develop cost effective test kits based  upon rapid lateral flow and ELISA formats.

Dr Nick Roesen, NAC’s Scientific Director said ““Our hMPV A and B native antigens are identical to the virus itself as it appears in the patient and this means that IVD manufacturers can now develop rapid tests which offer the highest levels of sensitivity and specificity to the infection.”