LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Automated Microfluidic Device Simultaneously Detects HIV RNA and Antibodies

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 27 Mar 2016
Print article
Diagnostic laboratories now have available a fully automated molecular testing device that simultaneously detects host anti-HIV antibodies and viral RNA in a single specimen of saliva or blood.

In developing the system, Rheonix Inc. (Ithaca, NY, USA) optimized a commercially available HIV serologic assay to run within a microfluidic device into which was also incorporated an isothermal LAMP assay to detect the presence of viral RNA. LAMP (Loop-mediated isothermal AMPlification) is highly regarded for its rapidity, sensitivity, and ability to amplify both DNA and RNA.

The finalized system consisted of a disposable injection molded and film-laminated microfluidic CARD (Chemistry and Reagent Device) disposable device and a portable, software controlled instrument, which together automatically performed all steps of both assays without any user intervention after the initial loading of samples and reagents.

The microfluidic CARD cartridge had multiple microchannels, valves, pumps, and reservoirs, which performed the immunoassay, isolated viral RNA for detection by magnetic bead based purification, and Reverse Transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). The microfluidic system was able to detect host anti-HIV antibodies and viral RNA simultaneously in up to four blood or saliva samples.

The system was shown to detect acute HIV infection and allow immediate confirmation of a seropositive screening result by detection of HIV RNA. It also addressed the well-known "seroconversion window" during early HIV infection when antibodies are not yet detectable and viral loads are at their highest.

“Our technology meets the needs of settings with limited resources. The assays are rapid, sensitive, specific, easy to perform, and inexpensive,” said Dr. Greg Galvin, CEO of Rheonix. “This combined HIV screening and confirmatory test will have a significant commercial and social impact that we’re excited to see materialize.”

The assay device was described in detail in the January 31, 2016, online edition of the Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research.

Related Links:

Rheonix Inc.


Gold Member
Troponin T QC
Troponin T Quality Control
Verification Panels for Assay Development & QC
Seroconversion Panels
New
Total 25-Hydroxyvitamin D₂ & D₃ Assay
Total 25-Hydroxyvitamin D₂ & D₃ Assay
New
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Virus Test
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Virus Detection Kit

Print article

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The experimental blood test accurately indicates severity and predicts potential recovery from spinal cord injury (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Blood Test Identifies Multiple Biomarkers for Rapid Diagnosis of Spinal Cord Injury

The National Institutes of Health estimates that 18,000 individuals in the United States sustain spinal cord injuries (SCIs) annually, resulting in a staggering financial burden of over USD 9.... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The findings were based on patients from the ADAURA clinical trial of the targeted therapy osimertinib for patients with NSCLC with EGFR-activated mutations (Photo courtesy of YSM Multimedia Team)

Post-Treatment Blood Test Could Inform Future Cancer Therapy Decisions

In the ongoing advancement of personalized medicine, a new study has provided evidence supporting the use of a tool that detects cancer-derived molecules in the blood of lung cancer patients years after... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: Schematic representation illustrating the key findings of the study (Photo courtesy of UNIST)

Breakthrough Diagnostic Technology Identifies Bacterial Infections with Almost 100% Accuracy within Three Hours

Rapid and precise identification of pathogenic microbes in patient samples is essential for the effective treatment of acute infectious diseases, such as sepsis. The fluorescence in situ hybridization... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: Tumor-associated macrophages visualized using the Multiomic LS Assay (Photo courtesy of ACD)

Leica Biosystems and Bio-Techne Expand Spatial Multiomic Collaboration

Bio-Techne Corporation (Minneapolis, MN, USA) has expanded the longstanding partnership between its spatial biology brand, Advanced Cell Diagnostics (ACD, Newark, CA, USA), and Leica Biosystems (Nussloch,... Read more
Sekisui Diagnostics UK Ltd.