Respiratory disease affects respiratory organs such as nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchus, lungs, thorax and diaphragm. Typical respiratory infections include colds and influenza, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

Oxford Biosystems has been a supplier of products for the investigation of respiratory diseases for many years. Our products are sourced from internationally recognised manufacturers and include kits and reagents for clinical and research laboratories, as well as point of care testing.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, the capital of China's Hubei province, and has since spread globally, resulting in an ongoing pandemic. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

In response to the pandemic new laboratory and point of care tests have been developed to aid in the diagnosis of infection, monitor the spread of the disease and assist in the development of vaccines and therapeutics.

• COVID-19 – Point of care screening tests and research products
• COVID-19 – FAQ’s

There are three types of influenza virus: A, B and C. Influenza A and influenza B are responsible for most clinical illness. Rapid influenza diagnostic tests can help in the diagnosis and management of patients who present with signs and symptoms compatible with influenza. An influenza rapid test can be useful for helping to determine whether outbreaks of respiratory disease, such as in nursing homes and other settings, might be due to influenza. By assisting in the right diagnosis and treatment of influenza, a rapid test can help to reduce the substantial morbidity, mortality and costs associated with the infection, cut down on inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions and reduce the number of repeat doctor visits.

• Influenza – Diagnostic, point of care and research products
• News item – Rapid Diagnosis of Influenza Infections

Pneumonia is a common illness affecting approximately 450 million people a year and occurring in all parts of the world. It is a major cause of death among all age groups. Pneumonia is due to infection caused primarily by bacteria or viruses. Although more than 100 strains of infectious agents have been identified as causative pathogens, only a few are responsible for the majority of cases. Bacteria are the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), with Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated in nearly 50% of cases.

Other commonly isolated bacteria include:

• Haemophilus influenzae
• Chlamydophila pneumonia
• Legionella
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae

• Pneumonia – Diagnostic, point of care and research products
• News item - Urinary Antigen Testing in Suspected Pneumonia