HIV tests everyone

My R&D groups developed several HIV tests, some still used around the world. They included rapid onsite tests, high volume screening tests and confirmatory tests. Many of these products received FDA approval. The Centers for Disease control and the World Health Organization
http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/dls/ila/hivtraining/ are now pushing rapid testing as it is the most reasonable testing method for developing countries as a large health infrastructure is not required. Such rapid testing makes sense even in certain situations in developed countries. A single visit can give an immediate result although confirmatory testing should also be carried out in a timely manor. No test is perfect. We once proposed to make a rapid confirmatory test but could not get support from an FDA advisory panel who wanted to rely on the expensive and old fashioned western blots. So, it is possible to perform rapid screening and rapid confirmatory tests. The market for confirmatory testing is smaller than that for screening tests so there is not much of a commercial pressure to create such rapid confirmatory tests. At this stage, government support would probably be required. The picture is of the Orasure rapid test for HIV. I consulted on HIV testing at Orasure a number of years ago but not on this specific rapid test. It is gratifying that such HIV rapid tests are now getting the support that they deserve. My groups developed a rapid test using different technology that is currently be used by the millions in Africa. This test was discussed in a previous blog.