PoET

Article number: P2M-28-30

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The Multiplex PCR kit PoET Multiscreen is comprised of a real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to detect HCV/HIV-specific RNA and HBV-specific DNA in human blood plasma. Two target areas (X-tail and 5′ UTR) are amplified in the PCR for HCV. A dual-target design (sequence overlap region of the P/X and C/P genes) has also been established for HBV. The detection of HIV-1 is ensured by a triple-target design (GAG, LTR and Pol3). For HIV-2, a conserved region of the LTR gene is amplified. With PoET Multiscreen, the nucleic acids of HCV, HBV and HIV can be amplified simultaneously in one reaction and distinguished from each other using different fluorescent dyes. However, PoET Multiscreen does not differentiate between HIV-1 and HIV-2.

Article number: P2D-28-30

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Pathogen information

Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)

The hepatitis A virus (HAV), a picornavirus, is predominantly transmitted by the faecal-oral route and is the pathogen for the epidemic hepatitis A.

Thanks to corresponding hygienic measures and vaccination programs it is rare in central and northern Europe and North America and is principally brought back from travel to the Mediterranean region, South-East Asia, South and Central America. Infections do not become chronic, and the  antibodies formed protect against reinfection for life. Effective passive and active vaccines, also used in conjunction with hepatitis B vaccines, are available and should be offered to laboratory personnel.

Article number: P2E-28-30

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Pathogen information

Parvovirus B19 (B19V)

Parvovirus B19 belongs to the parvoviridae, erythrovirus genus, which reproduces in erythrocyte precursor cells. It infects the cells via the blood group P antigen as the receptor and causes transient anaemia, which can, in immunocompromised patients, lead to severe complications or even death. In children it triggers fifth disease and can lead to joint disease in adults. Infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage and hydrops fetalis (generalised accumulation of fluid over wide areas of the body of an unborn child). The usual course of the infection is, however, without symptoms.

The virus is predominantly transmitted by droplet infection and leads to levels of endemic infection of 60-80% of the adult population. Viraemia reaches very high concentrations of up to 10¹² virus particles/ml plasma.

The naturally formed antibodies are neutralising and very quickly reduce viraemia. Low level viraemia can, however, persist for years. Transmission also occurs from inactivated blood products from a particular concentration in the source material. The reason for this is the high resistance to inactivation and high viral load of the non-enveloped single stranded DNA virus.

Article number: P2F-28-30

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Pathogen information

Hepatitis E Virus (HEV)

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) belongs to the hepevirus family (Hepeviridae) and was first detected in the early 1980s as another cause of hepatitis in humans.

HEV is a small, non-enveloped, icosahedral virus particle with a (+)ssRNA genome of 7.2 kb .

The hepeviruses have been reclassified into two genera, orthohepeviruses and piscihepeviruses. The species pathogenic to humans, Orthohepevirus A, infects a variety of different mammalian species (including humans, pigs, rabbit, hare, roe deer, camel) and currently includes 8 genotypes. Infection occurs intraspecifically, primarily fecal-orally via contaminated water and food, but also interspecifically by eating infected prey.

According to the current state of knowledge, genotypes 1 and 2 are only pathogenic for humans and are mainly distributed in tropical countries. The human-pathogenic genotypes 3 and 4 have a broad host range (including humans, pigs, deer, rabbits, rats, etc.), with the pig serving as the main reservoir for humans. While genotype 3 is distributed worldwide in almost all temperate zones, genotype 4 was originally only native to Southeast Asia. A special subgenotype 3rb has specialized in the close human-rabbit relationship.

Genotypes 5 and 6 were isolated from wild boar in Japan and are closest related to genotype 4. So far, they have not been shown to be pathogenic for humans. The genotypes 7 and 8 were isolated from dromedary and camel, whereby so far only genotype 7 has been proven to be pathogenic for humans.

The course of infection with HEV is similar to that of hepatitis A infections, but is more often asymptomatic. Only after an average of 6-7 weeks first symptoms, mostly flu-like, show up before the typical symptoms of liver inflammation such as jaundice appear. Mortality for genotypes 1&2 is 1-4%, but it is significantly higher in pregnant women at 10-20%. In genotypes 3&4, mortality is well below 1%.

In Germany, genotype 3 is endemic and is mostly transmitted through infected pork transferred to humans. The seroprevalence of the adult population in the Federal Republic of Germany is at around 17% and continues to increase with age. The rate of HEV-positive plasma donations in Germany is currently around 1:2000 to 1:5000.

Article number: P2H-28-30

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Pathogen information

West Nile Virus (WNV)

West Nile virus (WNV) is an enveloped, single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus (ss(+) RNA). It is known since 1937 and belongs to the family of flaviviridae, the genus is flavivirus. Because the virus is transmitted by mosquitoes from one host to the next, it is classified into the group of arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses). A relevant factor for human medicine are those species, which transmit the virus from its reservoir hosts (birds) to humans (e.g. Culex and Aedes genera).

Since one of the vectors – Aedes albopictus – has become resident in wide areas of Europe, endemic infections also occur in Europe and have spread increasingly since 2010 (see the website of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, ECDC, http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtropics/west_nile_fever/West-Nile-fever-maps).

Up to now, no genotypes have been defined for WNV. However, a number of main groups (known as lineages) have been distinguished. Both human-pathogenic lineages (1 and 2) are found in Africa and Europe, while lineage 1 is primarily found in America.
80% of West Nile virus infections follow an asymptomatic course. In the remaining cases, flulike symptoms, known as West Nile fever, occur. As WNV is able to pass through the bloodbrain barrier, encephalitis or meningitis are developed in rare cases (less than 1%), of which both can have a fulminant course of disease. The symptoms appear 3 to 14 days after infection. The course of the disease is generally more severe in persons over 50 years of age. By now, there is no treatment for West Nile fever but it is possible to alleviate the symptoms. In case of a severe disease, monitoring in hospital is reasonable.

Article number: P2G-28-30

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Pathogen information

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

The human cytomegalovirus (CMV) belongs to the family of herpesviridae. The virus’s name derives from its ability to enlarge infected cells (cytomegaly).
CMV is transmitted via body fluids (e.g. saliva, urine, and genital secretions). Transmission trough blood, transplants and breast milk is of particular relevance. CMV is spread worldwide and its endemic dissemination varies from 50 % to almost 100 %.
The incubation period of the virus is about four to six weeks. Symptoms rarely occur in immunocompetent individuals and manifest predominantly in non-specific symptoms such as common cold and cough. More severe courses are observed for immuno-incompetent or immunosuppressed individuals, including in particular transplant recipients, newborns or those infected with HIV. While growth and neural disorders occur in newborns, the infection often manifests itself as fever, colitis, retinitis or fatal pneumonia in AIDS patients. The virus is considered to be placenta-permeable and poses a risk to the unborn child if the mother is infected. It is the most common viral pathogen for embryo- and fetopathies. There is currently no vaccination available against CMV.