Viral Biosensor Test Simultaneously Detects Hepatitis and HIV

Globally, over 300 million people live with Hepatitis B and C, and 40 million with HIV, according to WHO estimates. Diagnosing bloodborne viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C remains challenging in resource-limited regions, where access to advanced laboratory equipment is scarce. Current diagnostics require blood samples to be shipped to distant labs, delaying results for weeks or months and increasing the risk of disease progression and transmission. Now, researchers are developing a single, affordable test capable of detecting all three viruses at once.

An interdisciplinary team, comprising infectious disease experts and chemists, at the UCF College of Medicine and College of Sciences (Orlando, FL, USA), is repurposing an existing electrochemical biosensor and adapting it to rapidly identify the viruses at the RNA level, while also quantifying viral load. This new system builds on prior technology successfully used for dengue and Zika detection, forming the foundation for a more universal viral diagnostic platform.

The UCF biosensor uses isothermal amplification to detect viral nucleic acids and employs virus-specific probes to ensure accuracy. By targeting genetic material directly rather than relying on the body’s immune response, the test can detect infections at earlier stages. Importantly, the sensor has been engineered to recognize all known HIV strains, overcoming one of the biggest limitations of existing tests that often fail to account for mutations. The portable design and low manufacturing cost make it ideal for deployment in remote or low-resource healthcare settings.

The researchers are currently validating the biosensor in laboratory studies using cell cultures with varying viral concentrations. This phase will determine detection thresholds and ensure the sensor can accurately quantify viral loads in patient samples. Once optimized, the results will be published in the Journal of Biomedical Diagnostics, highlighting the test’s sensitivity, specificity, and real-world application potential. The team expects the technology to perform comparably to advanced lab-based systems while reducing both cost and turnaround time.

A common test for HIV and Hepatitis B and C could help clinicians detect co-infections faster, refine treatment plans, and improve patient outcomes. The researchers envision the test being used in rural clinics, community health programs, and outbreak zones, where rapid diagnosis can save lives. Future plans include scaling production and integrating results with mobile apps to support remote patient monitoring and reporting.

“I think the goal is to have something that’s accessible worldwide — regardless of the environment,” says College of Medicine researcher Daniel Ram, an assistant professor of infectious disease who is working on the project. “Having the capacity to detect multiple viruses at once really has potential to benefit everyone.”

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UCF College of Medicine and College of Sciences