Scientists from the Russian Anti-Plague Institute Microb, in collaboration with the Scientific Research Institute of Systems Biology and Medicine of Rospotrebnadzor, have developed a comprehensive test that can detect five dangerous infectious diseases: plague, cholera, anthrax, brucellosis, and tularemia. The press service of Rospotrebnadzor reported that the new test can identify the causative agent of any of these human diseases within 60 minutes.
Thanks to its high precision, the test can identify even the smallest quantities of microbial cells. This development opens new horizons for examining contact persons and preventing disease outbreaks.
Although the epidemiological situation for these infections remains stable and controlled in Russia, there is still a risk of their importation from abroad. The introduction of the new rapid test will enable Rospotrebnadzor to enhance epidemiological control and improve the biological safety of the population. The development was carried out within the framework of the federal project “Sanitary Shield” (direction “Safety for Health: Prevention, Detection, and Response”).
In June, it was reported that scientists at the Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology of Rospotrebnadzor had developed a new diagnostic test system for detecting the Haseki virus, recently identified in ticks. According to researchers, this virus is widespread in Siberia and the Far East.
