A new fast and cheap HIV test called “lab on a chip” has successfully detected both HIV and syphilis in a new test among a Rwandan population.
The device is a clear, credit card-shaped piece of plastic that produces test results within 20 minutes. It offers a faster, cheaper, and easier way to detect such diseases.
Cheap HIV tests that provide results within 30 minutes have been available for years, but it’s an outdated method.
VP at RTI International Doris Rouse says:
“This is a big step. What├óΓé¼Γäós especially exciting about this device is that it├óΓé¼Γäós rugged, easy to use and doesn├óΓé¼Γäót require a lot of infrastructure or training.
This [new] test can be done outside the lab with all the same advantages and sensitivity [for detection].”
Experts say the chip could be available within two to three years, but only if companies are willing to fund it. This is not only an important step in preventing HIV in newborns, but it’s also a great investment. We don’t see why companies wouldn’t want to fund the chip. Here’s hoping it becomes a reality.
[Image via Christian Torres / Washington Post.]
