Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PR Newswire; Thursday July 23, 3:50 pm EST
At this time, there is one available rapid option and two non-invasive options, but both features are not currently available in one test. The only FDA-approved rapid test is the Single Use Diagnostic System for HIV-1 (SUDS), which is performed only on blood and is therefore invasive in nature. Non- invasive options include an oral mucosal test and the Calypte urine HIV test system. In addition, Calypte is currently in the process of developing a urine rapid test which will be both quick and non-invasive.
The urine test system offers a highly accurate, low-cost, low-risk alternative to blood testing. Its advantages include greater ease-of-use for health care workers, strong appeal to consumers and the lower cost of urine collection. According to the National Institutes of Health Fact Sheet on HIV Infection and AIDS, there is no evidence that HIV is spread through urine, thereby significantly reducing risk of infection from collecting and handling specimens. Urine testing eliminates accidental needle sticks and other exposure-related dangers, thus protecting both health care workers and patients.
In addition to the benefits the test offers to the health care system, the urine test system is expected to become an attractive alternative for domestic and international health agencies that do not have access to the funds, personnel or facilities required for blood collection and testing. It is also expected to appeal to many Americans who have avoided being tested in the past because they dislike having their blood drawn. In fact, a survey of 1,000 Americans conducted by Market Facts, Inc. showed that one of every two respondents would prefer a urine HIV test over a blood test. Of those respondents, 80 percent cited a fear of needles as their reason for preferring the urine test.
For more information, or to arrange an interview with a Calypte representative, please call contacts below.
SOURCE: Calypte Biomedical
980723
PR980709
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