Roche adds cyclospora PCR tests as outbreak widens

MedTech Roche adds cyclospora PCR tests as outbreak widens By Ben Adams Aug 7, 2026 6:50am Roche Diagnostics MedTech Roche is rolling out two new tests for cyclospora as an outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from Mexico continues to spread across the U.S. The FDA and CDC said this week that six additional states have been tied to the outbreak, bringing the total to 15. As of Aug.

5, health officials had identified 6,358 illnesses, at least 278 hospitalizations and two deaths. Officials cautioned that case counts could continue to rise because it can take as long as six weeks to determine whether an illness is part of the outbreak. The outbreak has been linked to iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and recalled by Taylor Farms de Mexico.

Illnesses associated with the outbreak began June 22 and have continued. Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite cyclospora cayetanensis. The infection can cause severe diarrhea, fatigue and cramping and, in some cases, put additional pressure on emergency rooms.

Related Roche Diagnostics growth remains muted amid China headwinds Against that backdrop, Roche and its TIB MOLBIOL subsidiary have launched two real-time PCR assays designed to detect the parasite. Both are for research use only and run on Roche’s LightCycler 480 and LightCycler PRO instruments. One assay specifically detects cyclospora, while the other is a multiplex test that can identify cyclospora alongside several other gastrointestinal parasites.

The tests expand Roche’s infectious disease portfolio, which also includes assays targeting HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, dengue, malaria and other pathogens. Roche Diagnostics MedTech