August 1, 2011

Rapid Field Test for HIV Succeeds in Rwanda

In an initial field trial in Rwanda, the "mChip" rapid field test detected HIV and syphilis with reliable accuracy, according to a study published in Nature and reported by The Washington Post. The credit card-sized mChip analyzes a blood sample within 20 minutes. Current testing techniques in Rwanda require blood to be sent to a central laboratory with a turnaround time of days or even weeks. Researchers expect that the device will cost less than traditional testing and that it will eventually be usable to detect hepatitis B and C, herpes, gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Search: HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, Rwanda, mChip, testing

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