- Visit Quest Diagnostics at the Pediatric Academic Societies' Meeting
at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco (May 1-4, 2004) at Booth #930
-
TETERBORO, N.J., May 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quest Diagnostics
Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the nation's leading provider of diagnostic testing,
information and services, announced that it has developed and is now offering
a gene-based blood test to detect genetic mutations associated with congenital
adrenal hyperplasia, a condition that causes females to accumulate male sex
hormones. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a relatively common disease
that can affect normal growth and development and may influence how the body
deals with the stress of illness or injury. It is most often caused by
deficiency of a specific enzyme, 21-hydroxylase. Some forms of the disorder
that occur infrequently may cause life-threatening illness. A mild form of the
disease that occurs more frequently is a possible cause of infertility in
women.
The new test, which is available to physicians nationwide, detects 90-95 %
of genetic mutations associated with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. This test
can be of value to individuals with the disease as well as families with a
history of CAH. In addition, obstetricians can use the gene-based test during
a patient's pregnancy to guide the use of therapy to prevent malformations in
affected female fetuses. Currently, CAH testing is a part of a neo-natal blood
screen in the majority of states to identify infants with the severe form of
the disease.
CAH may be inherited by both males and females. The non-classical mild
form of the disease is relatively common, occurring in 1 of every 1,000
births, but is considerably more frequent in certain ethnic groups. The
classical severe form is rare and occurs in only 1 in every 15,000 newborns.
Quest Diagnostics developed the new CAH test at its Nichols Institute
esoteric testing laboratory in San Juan Capistrano, California. The new test,
on which a Quest Diagnostics patent is pending, uses a proprietary
gene-amplification procedure through which the 21-hydroxylase gene, a
defective form of the gene on the same chromosome and products of
recombination between those two genes are prepared for analysis by DNA
mini-sequencing.
"This new gene-based test will be available immediately to doctors and
their patients across the country," said Delbert A. Fisher, M.D., Vice
President, Science and Innovation. "The Nichols Institute has a 30-year
history of providing state-of-the-art testing and consultative services for
endocrine disorders. Release of the new CAH test continues on that tradition
and marks a new focus on molecular endocrinology."
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is the nation's leading provider of
diagnostic testing, information and services, providing insights that enable
healthcare professionals to make decisions that improve health. 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 the leading provider of esoteric testing, including gene-based
medical testing, and provides advanced information technology solutions to
improve patient care. Additional company information is available at:
www.questdiagnostics.com.
The statements in this press release which are not historical facts or
information may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and
outcomes to be materially different. Certain of these risks and uncertainties
may include, but are not limited to, competitive environment, changes in
government regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers,
suppliers and strategic partners and other factors described in the Quest
Diagnostics Incorporated 2003 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
-0- 05/04/2004
/CONTACT: Laure Park, Investors, +1-201-393-5030, and Gary Samuels,
Media, +1-201-393-5700, both of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated /
/Web site: http://www.questdiagnostics.com /
(DGX)