Press Releases

DUBLIN, N/A, IRELAND - May 18, 2017 - Aalto Bio Reagents today announced the availability of its first-to- market native and recombinant West Nile virus (WNV) proteins  for diagnostic test manufacturers, vaccine developers and researchers globally. The new native West Nile virus antigens are available in both the Uganda strain B956 and New York strain 385-99. The E.coli derived recombinant protein represents structural domain III of the WNV envelope protein. Aalto Bio intends to become a global leader in the tropical disease and emerging pathogen sector. The recent addition of the WNV native and recombinant antigens further expands the company’s range of tropical diseases, which already includes Zika, Chikungunya and Dengue. This provides leading researchers and diagnostic manufacturers with a more diverse protein selection, facilitating the development of assays with greater specificity and sensitivity. 

The first strain of WNV, B956, was identified in Uganda in 1937. This arbovirus is transmitted to humans primarily by mosquitos. Symptoms of the disease are similar to other acute febrile illnesses and severe neurologically effects develop in 1% of sufferers. WNV can also be transmitted to humans through blood transfusions and organ transplants posing a significant threat as 80% of those infected are asymptomatic. WNV has re-emerged in recent years with the U.S. experiencing one of its worst epidemics in 2012 causing 286 deaths. In that same year, the largest ever outbreak in Italy was recorded and a new strain of the virus was detected.  Several genetic lineages of virus exist highlighting the importance of adapting serological tools to specific epidemiological situations. For this reason, Aalto Bio is offering WNV proteins from the 2 predominant lineages of the virus: 

Lineage 1:    Recombinant West Nile Envelope Glycoprotein (code CJ 6322) 
Native West Nile Virus Antigen, New York strain 385-99 (code BC 6338)