cellestis tb test proves reliable in denmark

Cellestis TB test proves reliable in Denmark
26/11/2002 15:16:02
By Reuters, Reuters, Copenhagen

A new test for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) developed by the Danish Statens Serum Institute (SSI) and Australian biotech company Cellestis (ASX:CST) proved reliable during a recent TB outbreak in Denmark, the SSI said on Monday.
The test, based on a blood sample from people believed to be infected with the lung disease, confirmed the results of a traditional skin test, the limitations of which physicians have long been aware, SSI said in a statement.
"It is possible from a single blood sample to test if the patient's immune system reacts when it is stimulated with TB proteins," SSI said about the test, which is based on technology developed by Cellestis and proteins from SSI.
"The test therefore reveals TB-infected people before they develop the disease," said the Danish institute, a public body under the ministry of the interior and health.
Unlike the skin test, the new blood test also shows whether vaccinated adults have contracted TB, SSI said