USB drive tests blood for HIV

Global SourcesUpdated on 2023/12/01

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The device tests a drop of blood for HIV levels and represents a leap forward in portable, affordable health care.

This USB drive gives blood test results when plugged into a computer or a mobile device (Source: Imperial College London)

Researchers at the Imperial College London have developed a USB drive that can test blood for HIV. The device could be a big breakthrough in bringing inexpensive and accessible blood testing to parts of the world where it is not commonly available. The device only needs a drop of blood to analyze, with results given through an electrical signal that can be read via a laptop or a mobile device.

The test is said to be disposable, although the university website does not say if this means that the whole device must be discarded after use. Regardless, it should result in a much more affordable way to monitor HIV levels in blood. This is critical to HIV treatment, which works by reducing virus levels to near zero. There is currently no cure for HIV, but treatments can result in a normal life expectancy with proper monitoring.

Current HIV blood tests take at least three days for results to get back from a laboratory, according to the university. This USB test can produce results within 30 minutes and is highly accurate. A test of 991 blood samples showed 95 percent accuracy with results returned in an average of 20.8 minutes.

USB drives have become ubiquitous, so this kind of technology is promising for those looking to find ways to propagate good health care practices. Other kinds of mobile blood tests have been around for many years. Other companies already offer USB devices that can read back glucose levels, for example. Glucose-monitoring wearables are also slowly becoming more common.

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