NEW rapid HIV test detects acute HIV infection

Inverness Medical has today announced the launch of its new 4th generation rapid HIV diagnostic test – Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo – at the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2008) in Mexico City. Capable of detecting HIV infection several days earlier than HIV antibody only tests, Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo enables simultaneous separate detection of HIV p24 antigen (Ag) and antibodies (Ab) for HIV-1 and HIV-2 in human serum, plasma, or whole blood.

The p24 antigen is produced during the first few weeks of HIV infection and is detectable before HIV antibodies are produced, making it an ideal marker in aiding early HIV diagnosis. By simultaneously detecting for p24 antigen and HIV antibodies, Determine HIV 1/2 Ag/Ab Combo increases the ability to detect and diagnose primary HIV infection.

The lateral flow test from Inverness Medical provides clear visual results during the patient visit. The easy to use, robust format of Determine does not require electricity, water, or the use of bulky laboratory equipment and can be performed in point-of-care settings and remote locations where laboratory facilities are limited. This gives significant advantages over lab-based EIA and ELISA 4th generation HIV testing.

The Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo test is ideal to help diagnose and screen for early HIV infection. The ability of this test to enhance diagnosis of those with acute HIV infection will provide additional benefits in HIV prevention programs and ultimately contribute to a reduction in the spread of HIV.

Inverness Medical will be exhibiting the Determine HIV 1/2 Ag/Ab Combo at AIDS 2008 from 3-8 August 2008. For more information visit stand 211.