Rapid Antibody Test To Be Used in HIV Study

A 60-second in vitro qualitative test detects antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in human whole blood, serum, or plasma.

Called Insti HIV-1, the test is to be used in a proactive intervention study to limit HIV transmission. The study is being conducted by researchers at the McGill University AIDS Center (Montréal, Canada).

bioLytical Laboratories (Richmond, Canada) will provide 5,000 Insti kits to conduct the testing for the study. Individuals at significant risk of HIV infection will be tested. The public health benefits of this type of point-of-care (POC) HIV test delivery can be substantial--based on the potential to identify individuals who are unaware they are HIV-infected, and the opportunity to deliver effective prevention measures. The study will include visits to commercial bathhouses and other venues, at which transmission of HIV frequently occurs.

"We hope that the use of this rapid test will enable us to identify newly infected people more quickly and will ultimately lead to the modification of high risk behavior and therefore reduce the transmission rate of HIV,” commented Prof. Wainberg. "Enormous progress has been made in HIV treatment. The use of Insti is the best method to now make advances in HIV prevention.”

bioLytical also operates a test your commitment (TYC) public awareness and mobile testing campaign that provides the public with access to live demonstrations of Insti. TYC offers an open forum to discuss issues regarding HIV AIDS and provides the public with access to new testing information.


Related Links:
McGill University AIDS Centre
bioLytical Laboratories