AFiocruz announced, in a press conference with the Ministry of Health (MS) this Saturday (16/01), an innovation that will allow simultaneous diagnosis of zika, dengue and chikungunya in suspected cases. The novelty will guarantee greater agility for the diagnosis carried out in the Ministry of Health's laboratory network, in addition to reducing costs and allowing the replacement of foreign inputs with a national product. The innovation was designed by the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz) and developed in partnership with the Institute of Molecular Biology of Paraná (IBMP), with the support of the Carlos Chagas Institute (ICC/Fiocruz - Paraná), from the Aggeu Magalhães Research Center (Fiocruz Pernambuco) and the Institute of Immunobiological Technology (Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz). The Ministry of Health announced the order of 500 thousand kits.

IOC/Fiocruzi

The announcement was made during a visit by the Minister of Health, Marcelo Castro, to the F headquartersiocRuz, in Rio de Janeiro

Currently, the diagnosis of the Zika virus is carried out using molecular techniques, using the Real-Time RT-PCR technique, which identifies the presence of the virus's genetic material in the sample. Imported reagents are used and, to rule out the presence of dengue and chikungunya viruses, it is necessary to perform each test separately. The Discriminatory NAT Kit for Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya allows the simultaneous identification of the genetic material of the three viruses. In addition to avoiding the need for three separate tests, the kit offers a ready-made combination of reagents, speeding up sample analysis and release of results.

“We are pleased to deliver this innovation to Brazilian society. We are mobilized to respond to the serious situation of the Zika virus and microcephaly, and this is an important part of our efforts”, said the president of Fiocruz, Paulo Gadelha, adding that the action is the result of the effort of the Office for Coping with the Epidemiological Emergency in Public Health of F.iocroz.

IOC/Fiocruzi

Team from the Flavivirus Laboratory of IOC received a visit from the Minister of Health, Marcelo Castro and the president of Fiocruz, Paulo Gadelha

Virologist Ana Bispo, head of the Flavivirus Laboratory at IOC/Fiocruz, created the project based on a concrete demand. “As a reference service, we know the challenges and opportunities for improvement in laboratory diagnostic work. In November, the idea came up that, if a kit could, at the same time, check for the presence of the Zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses, we could save time, in addition to simplifying the process. Another reason is that the symptoms of the three diseases are not always clear, leading to the need to process samples for more than one virus. Not to mention that simultaneity in sample processing is essential in regions where viruses circulate at the same time, reinforcing epidemiological surveillance of these three viruses that have a major impact on public health. We are happy that the idea was embraced by such competent partners and that it will soon be available in the network of central public health laboratories,” he added.

This is the Laboratory's second relevant contribution to the topic: in November 2015, the group confirmed in an unprecedented way the presence of the Zika virus in the amniotic fluid of two pregnant women with fetuses with microcephaly. At the time, the evidence was essential in directing initial investigations into the Zika virus and its correlation with microcephaly.

“We developed a product that already includes good manufacturing practices. With this test, Brazil would be free from dependence on imports. Furthermore, we will be able to provide inputs for sample preparation, offer team training and provide technical assistance”, stated the deputy director of Fiocruz Paraná, Marco Krieger. “We are happy to be able to develop this kit in such a short time to be able to quickly respond to this serious public health problem”, emphasized Rita Rampazzo, also from IBMP and one of the collaborators in the development of the new kit.

IOC/Fiocruzi

The estimated cost for carrying out the diagnosis is US$20 per test, which can represent savings of more than 50% for public coffers

The kits could go into production almost immediately, as the manufacturing of F reagentsiocruz serves the Brazilian blood network in the production of Nat kit tests, offered in 100% of Brazilian public banks and which speed up the identification of HIV and hepatitis C viruses in the blood. The production and nationalization of the kits could represent savings of more than 50% for public coffers, as the inputs are currently obtained from international suppliers. The estimated cost for carrying out the diagnosis is US$20 per test. The test allows diagnosis during the manifestation of clinical symptoms of these infections. The kit is versatile and can be used for laboratory diagnosis of three viruses, two or each one separately.

16/01/2016