ENEA and the University of Verona have patented a simple and affordable diagnosis kit to detect Sjogren’s syndrome.

This novel diagnosis technique, alternative to more expensive and invasive biopsy techniques, is based on the potato virus X, produced in a model plant of the Nicotiana Benthamiana species, belonging to the tobacco family.

The three-dimensional structure of the virus, properly modified, has allowed to obtain an extremely sensitive and reproducible diagnosis kit capable to effectively detect this condition.

The robust nature of the virus allows to create diagnosis kits presenting extended stability thus allowing long-term storage.

Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder developing almost exclusively in females (90% of the patients), affecting 0.6% of the world’s population.

Since it is often misdiagnosed, its true frequency is underestimated and therefore it is sometimes considered a rare disorder.

Although you can develop Sjogren’s syndrome at any age, (although rarely, even in childhood), most people are older than forty at the time of diagnosis.

Most researchers believe that it’s triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, although it’s not known exactly what causes Sjogren’s syndrome.

The disease occurs with the inflammation of the exocrine glands, especially the salivary and lacrimal glands, and may progressively affect other organs, with possible neurological complications.

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are key to successfully manage Sjogren’s syndrome.

For more information please contact:

Chiara Lico, ENEA Biotechnologies Laboratory, chiara.lico@enea.it