Company Releases XMRV Assay
Cooperative Diagnostics LLC, Greenwood, SC, recently announced the availability of a new diagnostic assay for Xenotropic Murine Leukemia-Related Virus (XMRV) to assist physicians in the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and other disorders potentially caused by the virus. Testing services will also be made available to the general public, according to a company press release.
The Simplex XMRV test identifies patients infected with XMRV. XMRV has been recently identified in 95 percent of chronic fatigue syndrome patients, in addition to large numbers of patients with fibromyalgia, atypical multiple sclerosis and other clinical conditions.
"This may well be the fulfillment of a promise I made a number of years ago to two good friends, who both became ill from chronic fatigue syndrome. I saw firsthand the mental anguish they endured by those closest to them, including the medical community, as they were told their condition could be psychological," said Brent C. Satterfield, PhD, president and CEO of Cooperative Diagnostics LLC. "When we learned XMRV might have such a high association with chronic fatigue syndrome, we immediately became interested in developing a test. Now, my two friends and everyone else who has suffered from the condition can take testing for XMRV into their own hands."
The Cooperative Diagnostics XMRV test is based on its proprietary real-time PCR nucleic acid detection technologies. It is capable of detecting the virus inside of blood cells. The test is available to the public at www.codiagnostics.com/XMRV/index.php for $399.
In order to provide quality testing in a high throughput environment, Cooperative Diagnostics has contracted Clinical Reference Laboratory (CRL) Inc. to process these assays.
CRL's Executive Director of Molecular Diagnostics, Dr. Heather Newkirk, said, "This unique technology from Cooperative Diagnostics enables a powerful detection product which synergizes well with CRL's expertise in offering quality molecular services. We look forward to working with Cooperative Diagnostics to provide quality services."