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News from Examiner.com 19 July. 2007
Quest Diagnostics Announces New
Testing Technique for Improved Diagnosis of Metabolic And
Nutritional Disorders
LYNDHURST, N.J. (Map) - Quest
Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the nation's leading provider
of diagnostic testing, information and services, today announced a
new, proprietary diagnostic testing technique to help physicians
diagnose genetic metabolic disorders, such as phenylketonuria (PKU)
and homocystinuria. Genetic metabolic disorders can impair a child's
mental and physical development. The new technique measures amino
acids in blood plasma, urine or cerebral spinal fluid by employing a
combination of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.
Physicians may also use amino acid quantitation tests on individuals
whose ability to process nutrients may be impaired, such as those
undergoing chemotherapy treatments for cancer, the elderly, and
individuals with gastrointestinal illnesses.
The new technique is an advance over conventional test methods,
providing greater diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for
detecting a range of metabolic and nutritional disorders. The
technique can be used to measure and report up to 47 individual
amino acids, depending on the condition to be tested and type of
specimen. The new testing method also overcomes the problem of
interference from medications and diet, which, when using
conventional testing methods, often hinders accurate analysis. In
addition, the new methodology can detect amino acid levels as low as
one micromole per liter, which enhances its usefulness for detecting
nutritional deficiencies compared to conventional methods.
"We believe this new testing technique will improve nutritional
monitoring and enhance the detection of several inherited metabolic
disorders that can impair a child's mental and physical development,"
said
Joyce Schwartz, M.D., vice president and chief laboratory officer. "We
also expect improved turnaround times to enhance diagnosis and
treatment."
Researchers at Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, the company's
esoteric diagnostic testing, research and development center,
developed the new methodology. The company recently began to market
the technique to hospital physicians with an emphasis on pediatric,
neonatology, genetic, oncology and gastroenterology practices.
Quest Diagnostics has established normal ranges by age and sample
type, enabling clinicians to evaluate individuals at all ages for a
range of nutritional deficiencies and for a number of inborn errors
of metabolism.
About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics is the leading provider of diagnostic testing,
information and services that patients and doctors need to make
better healthcare decisions. The company offers the broadest access
to diagnostic testing services through its national network of
laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive
consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff.
Quest Diagnostics is a pioneer in developing innovative new
diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology
solutions that help improve patient care. Additional company
information is available at www.questdiagnostics.com.
This communication contains certain forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements, which may include, but are not
limited to, statements concerning the proposed acquisition, are
based on management's current expectations and estimates and involve
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes
to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking
statements. Certain of these risks and uncertainties may include,
but are not limited to the risks and uncertainties described in the
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated 2006 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
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