Co-Diagnostics performs in silico analysis of primers sets for chikungunya virus

Co-Diagnostics (CODX) has performed an in silico analysis of the primers sets used in its Co-Primers based PCR tests for the detection of chikungunya virus, showing a high homology against over 1,200 CHIKV sequences and confirming reactivity of the CHIKV primers against known recent strains of the virus. As of July, there have been nearly 250,000 cases and 90 deaths from CHIKV worldwide, primarily concentrated in South America, but also found in countries across Africa, Asia and Europe. An estimated 5.6 billion people currently live in at-risk areas across 119 countries as warming trends contribute to expanded regions for the mosquitoes that can carry CHIKV. The Co-Diagnostics Logix Smart ZDC Test received CE-marking regulatory clearance in 2019 to be sold as an in vitro diagnostic for the viruses that cause Zika, dengue and chikungunya. The test functions via the Company’s patented Co-Primers technology and a single-step reverse transcriptase real-time PCR process to detect and differentiate between the viral RNA of Zika, dengue, and chikungunya in blood drawn from patients. It is available for markets that accept CE-marking as valid regulatory clearance, pending local product registration requirements. Differentiating CHIKV cases from other infections with similar symptoms, such as dengue, helps physicians avoid administering certain pain and fever medications that can increase risk of bleeding and be life-threatening in patients with severe dengue infections. As an arbovirus spread by mosquitoes, accurate diagnosis is also vital to indicate to an infected patient that they should take additional precautions to limit contact with mosquitoes, to prevent further spread of the virus. Co-Dx also offers its Co-Primers-based environmental use only Vector Smart VZDC Test to mosquito abatement districts, as part of its suite of vector control tests used by around 30 MADs across approximately 20 U.S. states to identify pathogens such as Zika, dengue, chikungunya, West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, and Eastern and Western equine encephalitis in mosquito pools. The Vector Smart VZDC Test CHIKV primer sets are the same as those used in the Logix Smart ZDC test. Co-Diagnostics Indian joint venture CoSara Diagnostics Pvt Ltd received clearance in October 2021 by Indian authorities to manufacture and sell its SaraGene Dengue and Chikungunya Multiplex RT-PCR test as an IVD, which is also built on the Company’s Co-Primers platform technology.