Virus testing can save on antibiotics

Virus testing can save on antibiotics

01/27/2014

Viruses or bacteria? That's the question doctors now often face in winter given the many patients with respiratory infections. An innovative rapid test can make the diagnosis easier and save unnecessary antibiotics. For the first time in the world, the test enables simple and rapid detection of the virus marker neopterin directly in the field.

Viruses are responsible for more than 80% of cases of acute respiratory infections1 and many of the affected patients are unnecessarily receiving antibiotics. The distinction between viral and bacterial respiratory infections is more important than ever due to the massive increase in antibiotic resistance. The new neopterin rapid test (InfectCheck® NeoPT, concile GmbH) can help to reduce the inadequate use of antibiotics.

Neopterin is a nonspecific viral marker that is released from macrophages via activation of the immune system via TH1 helper cells. Because neopterin is elevated in all viral infections as opposed to bacterial infections, the viral marker makes it possible to differentiate between viral and bacterial infections. For serum concentrations ≥10 nmol / l, Neopterin shows a sensitivity of 96.9% in viral respiratory infections .1 The additional measurement of the C-reactive protein can help to rule out mixed infections. (Pm)