Diagnostic HYBRIDS gets FDA OK for fast-acting flu, cold kit

ATHENS, Ohio — The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has cleared for use a fast-acting test by Diagnostic HYBRIDS that can detect a series of diseases, including certain types of flu and the common cold and croup.

The company says its D3 FastPoint Respiratory Virus Identification Kit can within 30 minutes detect influenza A, influenza B, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, adenovirus and parainfluenza viruses from a patient’s specimen. The company also says its technology allows two respiratory viruses to be detected in a single slide.

Diagnostic HYBRIDS manufacturers a series of tests for diseases ranging from herpses to H1N1 flu. The company two weeks ago announced it another part of its D3 line had received FDA clearance to detect H1N1, but it later retracted that statement. It clarifies all its statement related to the H1N1 virus on its Web site.