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Sydney researchers have developed a test which could revolutionise the diagnosis of the life-threatening condition of preeclampsia in pregnant women.
Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney say the new test is significantly faster and more accurate with the potential to make a real difference for mothers and babies.
Preeclampsia affects up to eight per cent of pregnancies and is characterised by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, with the potential to damage the kidney and liver.
It can lead to serious complications and even death for both mother and baby if left untreated.
Until now, diagnosis involved measuring blood pressure and testing for protein in the urine along with other symptoms, with the complication easily missed or delayed, particularly for those living in rural and remote areas.
The UTS developed strip-based lateral flow assay uses innovative nanoparticle-based technology to detect the concentration of specific biomarkers present in the blood plasma of women with preeclampsia.
The novel protein biomarkers, called FKBPL and CD44, were discovered by Associate Professor Lana McClements, who says the new test can produce accurate results within 15 minutes.
"We believe this test has the potential to revolutionise the way preeclampsia is diagnosed and managed," she said on Monday.
The simple test can be performed at a pre-natal clinic or doctor's office.
"This essentially gives clinicians the ability to make immediate and life-saving informed decisions, and not wait 24 hours for the results to come back," Assoc Prof McClements said.
The only known cure for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby, however premature delivery can lead to complications and hospitalisation.
The novel biomarkers also have the potential to lead to new treatments.
"This offers hope not only for earlier diagnosis, but also for a future cure for this terrible disorder," Assoc Prof McClements said.
The research team is now working to commercialise the test in collaboration with industry partners, with the prospect it could become available around the world.
The study is published in the prestigious journal Angewandte Chemie.
