EANS-News: november Aktiengesellschaft / Extended Field of Application of PROGEN Hantavirus Diagnostics (www.progen.de/hantavirus)

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New Products/Research & Development/Hantavirus Elisa Hantaan Dobrava
Antibody

Cologne, Heidelberg (euro adhoc) - PROGEN Biotechnik GmbH, a
subsidiary of november AG, has extended the field of application of
their well-established Hantavirus Hantaan IgG & IgM ELISA for
serological diagnosis of hantavirus infections.

For this purpose, human clinical samples tested positive for
hantavirus antibodies of the Hantaan or Dobrava serotypes were tested
in parallel for IgG and IgM antibodies in a Hantaan and a Dobrava
ELISA. Consistent results were achieved with both ELISA tests.

Furthermore, the cross-reactivity with Puumala virus, described in
literature, was confirmed in all tested IgG serum samples.
Particularly surprising in all cases was the strong reaction of
Hantaan- and Dobrava-positive samples as well in the Hantavirus
Hantaan ELISA.

The results clearly suggest that for diagnosis of a possible Dobrava
virus or also Hantaan virus infections the Hantavirus Dobrava/Hantaan
IgG and IgM is highly suitable. For the physician this means
significant cost reduction and considerable time-saving as now with
one diagnostic test can be used to detect two serotypes. With this
extended field of application for the newly defined Dobrava/Hantaan
ELISA PROGEN is taking into account the increasing
internationalization of risks of infection as a result of changed
leisure and travel activities. In cases of confirmed suspected
hantavirus infections, the travel anamnesis of the patient allows
assignment to the Dobrava or Hantaan serotype.

PROGEN Hantavirus Diagnostics In addition to the ELISA test for the
detection of Hantavirus Dobrava/Hantaan IgG & IgM and Hantavirus
Puumala IgG & IgM, PROGEN´s product range also includes indirect
immunofluorescence tests for the detection of antibodies against
Hantavirus Dobrava/Hantaan, Puumala and Seoul serotypes. For more
information, refer to www.PROGEN.de/hantavirus.

More Details on Hantavirus and Its Distribution: Hantaviruses are
single-stranded RNA viruses of the Bunyaviridae family, widespread
and strictly associated with their serotype-specific reservoir hosts.
They cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Europe and
Asia and lead to hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) in
America. The severity of the disease depends on the infecting
virotype with case fatality rates from 0.1% - 10% for HFRS and 25% -
35% for HCPS.

HFRS is caused by Hantaan virus and the closely related Dobrava virus
as well as Seoul and Puumala virus. Hantaan virus is endemic in Asia,
the Dobrava virus serotype is found in Europe. Hosts for both viruses
are rodents of the Apodemus genus. In Germany, the predominant
serotype is Puumala, hosts are bank voles (Myodes glareolus).
Occurrence of Dobrava virus infections in Central Europe is
insignificant; increased to predominant distribution, however, in
Eastern and Southern Europe and the Balkans, spread by striped field
mouse (Apodemus agrarius), yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis)
and Black Sea field mouse (Apodemus ponticus).

Viral carriers are rodents, transmission to humans occurs via
inhalation of virus-containing particles from excretions of host
animals or through direct contact. People at high risk are
predominantly hunters, lumbermen, soldiers, joggers, campers and
gardeners. Inhalation of virus-containing particles during home
activities in sheds, garden sheds, attics, basements or outside when
composting is also possible.

For regular updates on risks of infection and disease spreading as
well as current epidemiologic data please refer to www.rki.de and
Surv-Stat@rki and the epidemiologic bulletins of the
Robert-Koch-Institute.

Hantavirus Product Range of PROGEN Biotechnik GmbH: - Hantavirus
(Dobrava / Hantaan) Antibody Immunofluorescence Kit and Slides -
Hantavirus (Puumala) Antibody Immunofluorescence Kit and Slides -
Hantavirus (Seoul) Antibody Immunofluorescence Kit and Slides -
Hantavirus Dobrava / Hantaan IgG/IgM ELISA - Hantavirus Puumala
IgG/IgM ELISA - anti-Hantavirus Hantaan, Mouse Monoclonal, clone
B5D9, Peroxidase Conjugate - anti-Hantavirus Hantaan, Mouse
Monoclonal, clone B5D9, Cell Culture Supernatant - anti-Hantavirus
Puumala, Mouse Monoclonal, clone A1C5, Peroxidase Conjugate -
anti-Hantavirus Puumala, Mouse Monoclonal, clone A1C5, Cell Culture
Supernatant - anti-Hantavirus Seoul, Mouse Monoclonal, clone R31,
Cell Culture Supernatant For more details: www.progen.de/hantavirus

november AG has set up a special news portal for its subsidiaries
PROGEN Biotechnik GmbH and Multimetrix GmbH. Here you may find the
companies´ latest reports and recent news on in-vitro diagnostics,
research reagents and Luminex® technology. Also published is
information on new commercial products, new distribution partnerships
and participation in research projects. The Internet News Portal
Diagnostics of november AG is located at: www.november.ag

november AG november AG is an investment and holding company, listed
in the prime standard of the regulated German Stock Exchange
(Deutsche Börse) with special focus on medical technology,
biotechnology and environmental technology. www.november.de

PROGEN Biotechnik GmbH PROGEN Biotechnik GmbH, Heidelberg, is an EN
ISO 13485:2007 certified manufacturer of in vitro diagnostics (e.g.
Lyme Disease, Hantavirus, FSME) and research reagents (e.g.
antibodies, polypeptides, AAV, hyperphage). www.progen.de

Multimetrix GmbH Multimetrix GmbH develops and manufactures multiplex
tests/assays based on the Luminex® technology for applications in
diagnostics (infectious disease serology/Borrelia) and in research
(HPV genotyping, coated beads) and offers test/contract services and
technical support for the Luminex® Analyzer. www.multimetrix.de

Further inquiry note:
Dr. Dirk Zurek
Vorstand
Tel.: +49 (0) 221 82200 520 10
E-Mail: ir@november.de

end of announcement euro adhoc
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company: november Aktiengesellschaft
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