New HIV testing method for Africa

A new way of testing for HIV has been developed that could make treatment for the disease more accessible in sub-Saharan Africa.

The technique uses dried blood spots (DBS) and is able to detect the virus earlier than other methods.

Its development can also be monitored without needing to be refrigerated - making it suitable for remote regions of Africa.

Research completed in Tanzania by Duke physician John Crump was presented at the HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention conference in South Africa.

Dr John Bartlett, Duke Global Health Institute associate director for research, said that the technique's development lays the foundation for further improvements to HIV testing.

"Dried blood spots offer the advantage of not requiring cold storage," he stated.

"Before using it for care and treatment programs, it will need further evaluation. But, this is the largest field study of DBS's done to date, and the results appear promising."

The International Aids Society hosts the HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention conference, which is the biggest open scientific conference on HIV in the world.

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