Genetic Signatures

Genetic Signatures Limited – Annual Report 2021 Tick-Borne Disease Ticks are a species that can transmit a large number of infectious agents to humans due to their lifecycle. TBD is caused by various species of bacteria, virus and protozoa, which are carried by ticks. Perhaps the most well-known is Lyme disease which is endemic world-wide. Other diseases include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus, Colorado tick fever, anaplasmosis, tularemia, ehrlichiosis and tick-borne encephalitis. Many TBDs cause chronic debilitating diseases that are resistant to therapies and are the cause of significant morbidity worldwide. Very few molecular methods for the diagnosis of TBD exist thus Genetic Signatures’ has embarked on a new program to design an entirely novel way to identify all agents of TBD rapidly and sensitively from clinical samples to help diagnose these neglected pathogens. There are currently 9 product groupings at different stages of development, including 4 that are registered for sale in at least 1 major jurisdiction. Registered products still require continued review and enhancements to ensure they are best in class diagnostic kits. Recently Genetic Signatures advised 3 new product groups for which tests are being developed in addition to the Flavi/ Alpha viruses and Meningitis tests that have been spoken of before. These are Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Tick-borne infections, and Dermatophytes. Measles/ Mumps/Rubella Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) are highly contagious viral diseases in which symptoms usually develop 10-18 days after exposure to an infected person and last 7-14 days. Although all three diseases are vaccine preventable, recently there has been a resurgence of disease due to declining vaccine uptake. In 2017 over 110,000 people died from measles alone. Genetic Signatures has been asked by several hospitals if it was possible for us to produce a rapid multiplexed MMR assay, which we have developed. The next stage of this process will be clinical assessment. ExpandingRange of EasyScreen ™ Kits