Easy and Quick Saliva-based Test to Replace HIV Blood Test
Posted on May 7, 2008 in Current Affairs by Danteshwari
HIV blood test will be replaced by world’s first ever saliva-based test, which will be done within 10-20 minutes. A team consisting of Indo-Canadian scientists has successfully tested the gum swab test, which has an accuracy rate of 100%.
The findings of the study conducted in Maharashtra in 2006 by researchers from McGill University Health Centre (MUHC),Canada and Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS), Sevagram, was published in the internationally reputed medical journal ‘Plos Medicine’.
The test involves Oral Muscosal Transudate (OMT), a fluid secreted from the base of the gums before turning into saliva.
Dr. Nitika Pant Pai of division of infectious diseases, MUHC is of the view that this new technique would get rid of blood collection, which deters many patients from undergoing HIV tests. One need not inject syringes and employ trained personnel. One just has to rub the stick twice against the gum to collect oral fluid.
The strip made up of synthetic proteins detects HIV antibodies within a span of 20 minutes or less. Regular HIV blood test takes nearly two weeks. In India, it is necessary to know the HIV status of mothers to ensure that it is not transmitted to child at the time of delivery.
It is hoped that the research will enable for widespread use of oral HIV tests that are available over-the counter.
Source:TOI, May 7th 2008
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