As a cyclospora outbreak continues to spread throughout the United States, Roche, in collaboration with subsidiary TIB MOLBIOL, announced the availability of two new flexible and cost-effective research PCR testing options for labs to address the public health impact of the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite.

What to know:

• The two new tests are used with the LightCycler 480 and LightCycler PRO instruments.
• The LightMix Modular Cyclospora assay (for research use only, or RUO) is for the specific detection of cyclospora only using hydrolysis probe chemistry.
• The LightMix OneTube Gastro Para 2 assay (RUO) includes multiplex, real-time PCR detection of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia, Dientamoeba fragilis, Cryptosporidium, Blastocystis and Cyclospora cayetanensis.
• The tests complement an existing assay, UC-TIB-Gastro-PARA-2 (RUO), a multiplex, real-time PCR test for high-throughput research, detecting Dientamoeba fragilis, Blastocystis hominis and Cyclospora cayetanensis in a single reaction. It is used with the cobas 5800, 6800 and 8800 systems.

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