Roche Launches Cobas eplex RP3: Fast Respiratory Virus & Bacteria Test
Roche has launched the cobas eplex Respiratory Pathogen 3 (RP3) panel, a new diagnostic test designed to rapidly identify a broad range of viruses and bacteria causing respiratory illnesses, according to a press release issued Tuesday.
The RP3 panel can detect up to 25 viruses and bacteria from a single patient sample, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, Bordetella pertussis and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The speed of the test is intended to enable clinicians to make swift, informed treatment decisions, particularly for high-risk patients.
Designed for use with the cobas eplex system, the RP3 panel is intended to be easy to operate and consistently available, assisting hospitals in managing surges in respiratory illnesses. Differentiating between various respiratory infections can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms, and prompt identification is crucial for vulnerable populations like the elderly, young children, and immunocompromised individuals.
The test simultaneously detects over 20 different viral and bacterial pathogens. This allows clinicians to quickly pinpoint the cause of a patient’s illness, facilitating earlier treatment, appropriate infection control measures, and potentially reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Roche states that the test requires less than one minute of hands-on time for laboratory personnel to initiate, simplifying the workflow. The company anticipates the RP3 panel will contribute to reduced patient wait times in emergency departments and improved management of isolation beds by quickly identifying and separating infectious patients.
The cobas eplex RP3 is a qualitative in vitro diagnostic test for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of up to 25 targets. It operates on the cobas eplex system, a platform designed to streamline laboratory workflows with features like automated result reporting and external control tracking.
Building on the capabilities of the RP2 panel, RP3 continues to detect common pathogens like influenza A and B, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2, while adding detection of Bordetella parapertussis and Chlamydia pneumoniae, which can cause severe illness in high-risk patients. The RP3 panel also includes updated inclusivity for influenza and SARS-CoV-2 to ensure coverage of current and recently circulating strains.
The RP3 panel is the first in the cobas eplex family to offer a flexible syndromic testing approach, allowing laboratories to customize up to five distinct panels based on local prevalence needs or specific patient presentations.