Bloom Diagnostics has introduced its new Bloom Inflammation Test, which measures the C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in the bloodstream to detect inflammation in the body.
Designed to be used by professional clinicians, the Bloom Inflammation Test allows doctors and pharmacists to quickly measure and quantify inflammation in individuals aged 18 years and above.
Depending on the CRP levels contained in the sample, the single-use semi-automated testing kit gives five different classifications, ranging from normal to high-grade inflammation.
It allows healthcare professionals to test for different ranges of CRP using a single drop of blood, with precise results obtained in minutes.
The process involves the collection of a pin-prick blood sample on a test strip, which is sent to the Bloom lab.
Cloud-based algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) technology combine the results with other information, such as medical history, lifestyle, health status and individual symptoms.
After 20 minutes, a fully encrypted response will be sent through a personalised report on the Bloom App.
Bloom Diagnostics co-founder and chief product officer Tom Kupper said: “Inflammation is a common symptom across many ailments, and we estimate that over half the adult population could benefit from more frequent testing.
“Inflammation correlates with diet, exercise and medical conditions, such as diabetes and arthritis. Introducing a simple and accessible tool to measure and quantify the body’s inflammatory status can be incredibly impactful.”
The company stated that elevated CRP can be caused by several different medical conditions, including diabetes, Crohn’s disease, arthritis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia.
Published by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in Bethesda, research found that high concentrations of CRP were present in half of all test subjects. Research experts have stated that the protein’s concentration is a significant marker for wider health conditions.
