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hivScientists have come up with a test for the virus that causes AIDS that is ten times more sensitive and a fraction of the cost of existing methods, offering the promise of better diagnosis and treatment in the developing world.

The test uses nanotechnology to give a result that can be seen with the naked eye by turning a sample red or blue, according to research from scientists at Imperial College in London published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

“Our approach affords for improved sensitivity, does not require sophisticated instrumentation and it is ten times cheaper,” Molly Stevens, who led the research, told Reuters.

Simple and quick HIV tests that analyse saliva already exist but they can only pick up the virus when it reaches relatively high concentrations in the body.

“We would be able to detect infection even in those cases where previous methods, such as the saliva test, were rendering a ‘false negative’ because the viral load was too low to be detected,” she said. 

The test could also be reconfigured to detect other diseases, such as sepsis, Leishmaniasis, Tuberculosis and malaria, Stevens said.

Testing is not only crucial in picking up the HIV virus early but also for monitoring the effectiveness of treatments.

“Unfortunately, the existing gold standard detection methods can be too expensive to be implemented in parts of the world where resources are scarce,” Stevens said.

According to 2010 data from the World Health Organisation, about 23 million people living with HIV are in Sub-Saharan Africa out of a worldwide total of 34 million.

The virus is also spreading faster and killing more people in this part of the world. Sub-Saharan Arica accounted for 1,9 million new cases out of a global total of 2,7 million in the same year, and 1,2 million out of the 1,8 million deaths.

The new sensor works by testing serum, a clear watery fluid derived from blood samples, in a disposable container for the presence of an HIV biomarker called p24.

If p24 is present, even in minute concentrations, it causes the tiny gold nanoparticles to clump together in an irregular pattern that turns the solution blue. A negative result separates them into ball shapes that generate a red colour.

The researchers also used the test to pick up the biomarker for Prostate Cancer called Prostate Specific Antigen, which was the target of previous work that Stevens did with collaborators at University of Vigo in Spain.

That sensor used tiny gold stars laden with antibodies that latched onto the marker in a sample and produced a silver coating that could be detected with microscopes.

Stevens and her collaborator on the new test, Roberto de la Rica, said they plan to approach not-for-profit global health organisations to help them manufacture and distribute the new sensor in low income countries.

- Reuters

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Sat May 18 21:22:48 SAST 2013 ::

Oct 30, 2012

Nwanawamukalaha

One expect such discoveries from people who might have given birth to the disease. Instead of finding the cure they are busy advancing in finding how best they can tell if one is positive.........
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Oct 30, 2012

malemaforpresident

Wont trust the device i go straight to the phathologist
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Oct 30, 2012

MommaC

Spectacular breakthrough.
It only gives a 'yes/no' for now but it will enable so many people to be diagnosed before it is too late to help them. This is going to be invaluable in rural areas.
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Oct 30, 2012

Arewanga

Good for those who play unptotected like Amazulu.
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Oct 30, 2012

Mokwepa

"hivScientists have come up with a test for the virus that causes AIDS" poor jenalism
this is wrong..someone help me
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Oct 30, 2012

Bumboklaat

Nywanamukalaka and Malema stop with your negative comments and conspiracy theories. These people are doing something that will have a positive impact on the scourge of HIV/AIDS. I see you believe in dark forces or maybe you have delusions of JUJU!
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Oct 30, 2012

MommaC

Mokwepa

Human Immune Virus (HIV) is the virus. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the disease which is caused by the virus.
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Oct 30, 2012

malemaforpresident

In most communities accross SA sex come first before test refering to the level of rapes in this country people are so horney such that they forget to do regular tests it will be a deterent but as long as people dont take their responsibilities seriousLY it is just going to be flop
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Oct 30, 2012

Arewanga

gedleyihlekisa
@ Arewanga
But you also play unprotected sex you moron
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Did your illiteracy made you write the above?, come on who did i play unprotected with, your sister?
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Oct 30, 2012

Arewanga

@Fanle
"Call centre Agents" in what, unprotected sex, taxi industry, high stats in HIV, highest school class is grade 7 just like Umshini Wam. It is very difficult and not worth it trying to educate a person like you who want to remain in the state of denial and ignorance forever. Ukusebenzisana nabantu abafana nawe kuthatha amandla ami wonke, kungcono ngizithulele kuloludaba.
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