Rapid Urine Test for HIV-1

In a preliminary study, a new rapid, urine-based screening test for HIV-1 antibodies demonstrated 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity. The results were presented at the XIV International AIDS Conference in Barcelona, Spain.

The test combines the simplicity of use and speed of results of the current generation of rapid blood tests for HIV with the low cost and easy specimen collection of currently approved urine testing, states Calypte Biomedical Corp. (Alameda, CA, USA). Calypte developed the new test as well as two other HIV-1 antibody tests that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The new test eliminates the risk of HIV infection in medical personnel or patients and entails use of a specimen that can be retested and/or confirmed for HIV or other disease conditions. Additional studies with larger sample numbers are planned for the new test

"We feel our bloodless test is ideal for those regions where there is reluctance to submit to blood drawing, limited access to clinical laboratory facilities, and where it is also virtually impossible to get those who have been tested to return for a second visit,” said Nancy Katz, CEO of Calypte "We plan to make this new rapid HIV test available as soon as practicable in third world countries where the need is greatest.”




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