An updated version of a blood screening assay that detects human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) in donated blood has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the manufacturer, Roche, recently announced.
In a Jan. 9 press release, the company said that its “cobas TaqScreen MPX Test, v2.0” was approved for use “in the detection and identification” of HIV, HCV, and HBV in donations of human whole blood and blood components including source plasma. The test “provides increased sensitivity and is the only FDA approved test to simultaneously detect and identify the most critical viral targets in one simple, ready-to-use assay," according to the statement.