Quest Diagnostics ClariSure(TM) Postnatal Molecular Test Receives Clinical Laboratory Approval from New ...( Test aiding diagnosis of mental retar...),Health

Test aiding diagnosis of mental retardation, birth defects, and autism spectrum and developmental disorders now approved for use on patients in New York

MADISON, N.J., March 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, today announced that its ClariSure(TM) microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) postnatal test is now available for testing on patients in the state of New York. With licensure by the State Department of Health Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program, Quest Diagnostics operates one of only three laboratories in the U.S. approved to perform aCGH testing on postnatal samples collected on patients in New York. The state has approved the use of the ClariSure aCGH postnatal test as an aid in detecting copy-number chromosomal abnormalities implicated in dozens of medical conditions, including mental retardation, birth defects, and autism spectrum and developmental disorders, which conventional laboratory tests may fail to detect.

"With approval by New York State, our advanced ClariSure test has demonstrated that it fulfills test validation requirements widely regarded as among the most rigorous in the lab industry," said Charles (Buck) Strom, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of the genetic testing center of Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, the esoteric testing laboratory and research and development center of Quest Diagnostics. "Since its launch in mid-2007, physicians outside of New York have used our ClariSure test to identify the genetic etiology of congenital anomalies, autism and other disorders for dozens of patients whose conditions had eluded prior diagnostic efforts. We look forward to providing broader access to our ClariSure test, so that more parents have the diagnostic insights they need
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