mariPOC® respi test for influenza-like illnesses

The mariPOC® respi test covers 11 pathogens for detection of influenza-like illnesses with laboratory level performance.

Accurate and fast diagnosis enables prescribing antimicrobial treatment to those patients who are likely to benefit from it. On the other hand, great majority of respiratory infections are of viral origin in which case the antimicrobial treatment is unnecessary. Unnecessary antimicrobials cause, for example, diarrhoea and yeast infections, and they change the gut flora for up to half a year. With the support of pathogen-specific mariPOC® diagnostics, these unnecessary courses can often be avoided.

There is an effective drug for influenza. The drug enables minimizing influenza related morbidity and it can reduce the symptomatic time by two days. However, the drug works only when prescribed for a disease caused by influenza virus and is initiated latest within two days from the onset of the symptoms. The drug is not effective against other viruses. The mariPOC® influenza A virus test is extremely sensitive and accurate rapid test. Among the tests based on direct pathogen detection, it is the most sensitive in the market.

Quick results

• 20 minutes
  On average, 80% of positive samples are reported, allowing making
  of treatment decision without delay.
  For influenza A virus and RSV, 90% of positive results are reported.
• 2 hours
  Final result reports also low positive and negative results

Quick sampling

Typically the sampling is done by taking a flocked swab sample from the nasopharynx. Sample pretreatment, prior to automated analysis, is easy to do with short hands-on-time.

Test panel

Multiple pathogens tested for the most accurate diagnosis

It’s not possible to reliably diagnose the aetiology in respiratory tract infections based on symptoms alone. Even accurate differentiation between bacterial and viral aetiology, i.e. to treat or not to treat with antibiotics, is unachievable without laboratory testing. Typically, multiple pathogens causing similar symptoms are circulating at the same time with influenza virus (see mariCloud). For this reason, multiple pathogens need to be tested simultaneously to obtain accurate diagnosis. Testing just influenza virus is not enough.

Improved patient flow management

mariPOC® respi test analysing multiple pathogens from a single sample is a cost-efficient tool for patient cohorting in hospitals. Cohorting means that patients admitted to a hospital are separated based on the infecting pathogens. For example, influenza virus and RSV patients are directed to separate rooms to contain spreading of infections.
mariPOC® respi test makes patient flow in hospitals and emergency rooms more efficient by giving physicians support on deciding which patients will be admitted and which can be discharged. Measuring directly the causative pathogens enables minimizing the use and costs of other lab tests. For example, blood samples or x-ray’s causing radiation exposure may not be needed.