Roche's rapid test for blood poisoning granted European CE Mark

A rapid sepsis, or blood poisoning, test developed by Roche has been given a CE (Conformitee Europeenne) Mark, enabling Roche Diagnostics to start marketing the test in the European Union.

The LightCycler SeptiFast Test can be used to rapidly detect and identify 25 different sepsis-causing pathogens. This rapid identification and treatment is crucial in preventing deaths due to sepsis.

Micro-organisms responsible for causing sepsis are traditionally detected in hospital laboratories with the aid of microbiological culture methods which generally take from 2-5 days to complete and up to eight days for the diagnosis of fungal infections. In contrast, the LightCycler SeptiFast Test can detect and identify the sepsis pathogens in less than 6hrs. Once the pathogens are correctly identified targeted therapy using a specific antibiotic can begin.

According to epidemiological studies, severe sepsis accounts for up to 135,000 European and 215,000 American deaths a year. In Germany, severe sepsis accounts for up to 60,000 deaths a year, making this condition the country's third leading cause of death after coronary heart disease and acute myocardial infarction.