Roche sepsis test approved in EU

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Roche sepsis test approved in EU

01.12.2006, 02:05 AM

http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2006/01/12/afx2444527.html

ZURICH (AFX) - Roche Holding AG's diagnostics unit said that its

sepsis test, known as the LightCycler SeptiFast Test, has has

received the CE Mark, allowing the Swiss firm to sell the test in

the European Union.

It can detect and identify 25 different sepsis-causing pathogens -

including bacteria and fungi - which cause approximately 90 pct of

all sepsis cases, Roche said.

Over 18 mln cases of severe sepsis occur each year, and severe

sepsis accounts for up to 135,000 European and 215,000 American

deaths each year, according to epidemiological studies.