Nebraska Lab Develops Key Diagnostic Test for Rare South American Virus
A diagnostic test for the Andes virus, a pathogen previously only detected in South America, has been rapidly developed and validated by the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). This effort comes as Nebraska prepared to receive 16 passengers returning from a cruise ship that experienced a hantavirus outbreak.
A First-of-Its-Kind Resource in the U.S.
Peter Iwen, director of the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory, stated that his lab may be the only facility in the United States with a validated diagnostic test for the Andes virus. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) possesses a PCR test for the virus, it is classified as a research tool and has not been validated for use in patient management.
"We may be the only lab in the US with such a test." – Peter Iwen, director of the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory
The Science Behind the Test
PCR testing is crucial because it can detect tiny quantities of the virus before full symptoms appear, allowing for early identification and treatment. This is particularly important for a virus genetically distinct from the Sin Nombre virus commonly found in the United States.
How the Test Was Built
The diagnostic capability was assembled with critical support from the University of New Mexico. Iwen's team obtained the necessary genetic material and reagents from Steven Bradfute's lab, where graduate student Frannie Twohig had developed an Andes virus PCR test for research purposes.
Over a single weekend, the Nebraska team validated the test using approximately 100 controls. This leaves them with the capacity to process a few hundred patient samples.
Facility Expertise in High-Risk Pathogens
This rapid response builds on the medical center's established expertise. The Nebraska medical center operates a specialized biocontainment unit that previously treated Ebola patients in 2014 and was on the front lines treating early COVID-19 patients in 2020.