Diagnosing Familial Mediterranean Fever with the FMF-SAA1 StripAssay®

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a medical condition that is the most common inherited inflammatory disorder, mainly affecting people of Mediterranean descent. The disorder manifests as recurrent episodes of fever, alongside painful inflammation in the abdomen, chest, or joints. These episodes can last anywhere from 12 to 72 hours, severely disrupting the patient’s quality of life. While prophylactic treatment with colchicine can help manage symptoms, the most debilitating long-term complication is systemic reactive (AA) amyloidosis, which can lead to organ damage and kidney failure.

Understanding the genetic basis of FMF is essential for effective diagnosis and treatment. This is where the FMF-SAA1 StripAssay® steps in. This diagnostic tool identifies the most frequent disease-causing mutations in the MEFV gene and also identifies risk factors for developing AA amyloidosis.

Mutational Spectrum

The MEFV gene encodes a protein known as pyrin or marenostrin, pivotal in the control of inflammation. A myriad of mutations in this gene is responsible for the varying severity of FMF and the associated risk of AA amyloidosis. The FMF-SAA1 StripAssay® can identify up to 12 mutations, including E148Q, P369S, F479L, M680I (G>C), M680I (G>A), I692del, M694V, M694I, K695R, V726A, A744S, and R761H, providing a comprehensive genetic profile.

The assay’s capabilities extend beyond the MEFV gene. It also examines two polymorphic loci in the SAA1 gene, which are directly related to the risk of developing AA amyloidosis. Being homozygous for the SAA isotype SAA1.1 is significantly linked to the condition, providing another layer of diagnostic specificity.

Methodology and User-friendliness

The FMF-SAA1 StripAssay® uses a three-step methodology:

1. DNA isolation with Lysis Solution and GENXTRACTTM Resin.
2. PCR amplification using biotinylated primers.
3. Hybridization of amplification products to a test strip containing allele-specific oligonucleotide probes.

The user-friendly test kit comes complete with everything you need, from the Lysis Solution to CollectorTM sheets, packaged in an easy-to-understand manner. Bound sequences are detected using streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase and color substrates, making it easily decipherable even to the untrained eye.

Intended Use and Reliability

The assay is designed for human in vitro diagnostics and adheres to the highest quality standards. It offers  reliability in identifying MEFV and SAA1 gene mutations based on advanced polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse-hybridization techniques.

The FMF-SAA1 StripAssay® is IVDR certified, ensuring it meets the high safety and performance standards required for in vitro diagnostic devices in the European Union. This certification highlights the assay’s reliability and precision for clinical use.