New kit is the first to detect Zika virus in minutes

The world's first kit able to directly detect the Zika virus (Zikv) in blood has been developed by Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo (KK) a subsidiary of Tanaka Holdings

The kit is capable of Zikv detection in 10-15 minutes according to Tanaka KK, which plans to supply samples for clinical evaluation with a view to collaborate with domestic and overseas medical manufacturers.

The kit uses a test strip dipped into a test sample to enable Zikv detection in 10-15 minutes.

By making it possible to directly detect Zikv in blood by immunochromatographic assay, the kit realises simpler, faster and lower cost detection than existing methods, the company said.

There is already an immunochromatographic assay method in practical application that detects the antibodies created in the human body following Zikv infection, but the new kit makes it possible to directly detect Zikv itself when present in the blood.

By applying its antibody screening technology and nano-colloidal gold, Tanaka KK said it has developed the new kit using antibodies to nonstructural protein (NS1) in Zikv, allowing Zikv to be detected at a concentration of 102TCID50/mL.

This detection performance equals the sensitivity of other immunochromatographic assay-based test kits for influenza and other pathogens, according to Tanaka KK.

The company hopes that the development of the new kit will be highly effective in suppressing the spread of Zikv infection.