Meridian Bioscience Inc. is adding to its array of diagnostic tests with a planned purchase of an Irish firm that makes a product that could prevent prenatal deaths from a common disease, the Newtown firm said Thursday.

        The company has signed a letter of intent to buy Biotrin Holdings Plc of Dublin for an undisclosed amount. Biotrin makes a test that can detect immunity against parvovirus, better known as Fifth's Disease, which is akin to rubella and dangerous to fetuses if it is contracted by the mother.

        Each test costs about $4 and can help expectant mothers be wary of the disease if they are found not to be immune. Meridian said Biotrin generates $7 million in worldwide revenue, with annual growth of about 10 percent for the last few years. Meridian reported sales of $56.5 million in fiscal 2001, with a net loss of $10.3 million.

        “This is a nice piece of business for us,” said Meridian president and chief operating officer Jack Krautler, whose company manufactures tests for E. coli, stomach ulcers and tuberculosis.

        He also said Meridian could work to require the test in the early stages of pregnancy. About half of the female population is already immune from previous exposure, Mr. Krautler said, meaning 50 percent of women of child-bearing age could be susceptible to the disease.

        Mr. Krautler said Biotrin makes another product that can predict what effects new drugs will have on human cells, which will in turn help Meridian grow its life sciences division.

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