UK scientists developed a USB stick that could diagnose HIV in 30 minutes
Scientists in the UK have developed a new HIV test device, similar to a USB memory stick, which could be plugged into a computer and produce accurate results in just 30 minutes.
The researchers claim that the disposable technology can detect the virus in a drop of blood placed onto a spot on the USB stick, generating a signal which can be read by a laptop or handheld device.
Developed by a team Imperial College London and diagnostics firm DNA Electronics, its makers say the USB test could be used to help patients in remote regions manage the condition more effectively.
Like current diagnostic tests, it detects the amount of virus in the patient’s blood.But unlike standard HIV tests, the USB chip can produce a result in minutes rather than days.
“HIV treatment has dramatically improved over the last 20 years – to the point that many diagnosed with the infection now have a normal life expectancy,” said Dr. Graham Cooke, a clinician scientist at Imperial and senior author of the research, adding that monitoring viral load is an essential element to the success of HIV treatment.
According to Dr. Cooke, current tests often require costly and complex equipment that takes a couple of days to produce results. What they just did was take the equipment, which is the size of a large photocopier, and shrink it down to a USB chip.
Current treatments for HIV involve powerful anti-retroviral drugs, which reduce the amount of virus in blood cells.While these drugs are effective, patients need regular blood tests to check the viral count.
If the drugs stop working, or if the virus becomes immune to them, then a key sign will be an increase in the amount of HIV in their blood.
Routine HIV tests can check for the presence of the virus, but not the amount in the bloodstream.
The hope is that quick and effective diagnostic tests like the USB stick could enable patients to use a self-test kit, just like those with diabetes use to check blood sugar levels.
In addition, doctors could not only monitor if patients are taking their medication properly, but be able to spot viral resistance against the drugs.
The makers of the test believe it could be most beneficial in remote regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa, where testing facilities may be located far from rural towns and villages.
A patient’s blood sample is used to determine the presence of the virus, which causes a change in acidity. This change is then transformed to an electrical signal which can be read by software on a computer or handheld device, with the whole process taking a matter of minutes rather than hours of travelling to clinics and waiting.
In the study, researchers tested almost 1,000 samples with 95% accuracy.The average time for a result was less than 21 minutes.
Researchers say they are also looking into potential tests for other viruses, including hepatitis.
Category: Features, Technology & Devices
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