A team of experts has proposed a standard list of essential diagnostic tests to support the use of medicines listed on the Model List of Essential Medicines. The list includes 147 critical laboratory tests across 57 categories, which can guide the use of many different EML drugs and improve healthcare quality in developing nations.
A new portable test has been developed to detect the Zika virus in saliva for just $2, making it a promising tool for managing outbreaks. The test can accurately detect low levels of the virus and distinguish it from similar viruses like dengue.
A new PCR multiplex method makes lab testing more effective for diagnosing persistent diarrhea caused by bacteria or parasites. Accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine treatment, as antimicrobial therapy can be useful but only for those who test negative for a pathogen.
Rabies tests fail to yield accurate results in over half of positive samples, raising concerns for human safety. The study highlights the need for improved quality control measures among producers to ensure the reliability of these tests.
Researchers found that several commercially available tests for hepatitis C virus core antigen are highly sensitive and specific, potentially replacing the current two-test screening process with a single test. This could streamline care in low- and middle-income countries where HCV is prevalent, but patients are often lost to follow-up.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a unique method to detect antibodies in the blood, enabling simple diagnostic tests for diseases without known microbial causes. This approach successfully led to the detection of HIV antibodies and holds potential for diagnosing various conditions with just a single drop of bl...
The USPSTF recommends screening for syphilis in asymptomatic, nonpregnant individuals at increased risk due to high prevalence rates. Early detection and treatment can lead to substantial health benefits, including preventing late-stage disease and transmission of HIV.
A UBC study found that men who live outside major cities and have sex with other men are less likely to get an HIV test. Internalized feelings of homophobia contribute to reluctance to disclose sexual preferences, posing physical health risks.
Taxonomer analysis software rapidly identifies pathogens and profiles gene expression, revolutionizing infectious disease diagnosis. This technology can help reduce mortality rates of children in resource-limited settings by quickly detecting treatable infections.
A UK-based service using DIY home sampling kits and online dating apps has successfully detected over three-quarters of new HIV cases before late-stage infection. The approach catches most men before their infection reaches an advanced stage, making it easier to treat effectively.
DZIF scientists have developed optimized assays and a control for quantifying viruses in blood and urine, improving the reliability of current tests. The new tests are more sensitive to low viral concentrations and comparable across different strains.
A new study suggests that detecting HIV earlier through screening programs can lead to lower rates of transmission in local epidemics. In San Diego, an acute infection screening program was implemented, resulting in fewer new HIV diagnoses than expected without such testing.
The lateral flow urine lipoarabinomannan assay (LF-LAM) shows an average sensitivity and specificity of 45% and 92% in HIV-positive people with TB symptoms. However, its sensitivity is higher in individuals with low CD4 cell counts, making it a potential tool for early diagnosis and treatment.
A 44-year-old man with confirmed Zika virus infection exhibited a diffuse papular rash, petechiae on the palate, and hyperemic sclerae. Early recognition of these mucocutaneous findings is crucial for healthcare providers to differentiate Zika from other erythematous skin eruptions.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that excessive alcohol use can accelerate liver damage in people living with hepatitis C. The research suggests that comprehensive approaches to care are needed for these patients, including increased diagnosis and effective interventions to reduce alcohol use.
Researchers will field test breath markers in high-malaria areas Malawi, Bangladesh, and others. The goal is to develop a simple, painless breath test to identify asymptomatic carriers.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a rapid and portable test for Zika virus that can detect the virus in serum or saliva samples at lower concentrations than previously possible. The test has the potential to improve upon key limitations of currently available options and enable mass monitoring of outbreaks.
A new paper-based test developed at MIT and other institutions can diagnose Zika virus infection within a few hours. The test distinguishes Zika from the similar dengue virus, making it potentially practical for widespread use.
A team of collaborators has developed a cell-free, paper-based diagnostic platform for detecting the Zika virus. The platform uses toehold sensors and isothermal RNA amplification to provide rapid, low-cost, and programmable diagnostics.
A handheld instrument has been developed to detect the Ebola virus quickly and efficiently, allowing for faster treatment and real-time monitoring of viral loads. The device can process four samples simultaneously and produces results in under 37 minutes, significantly reducing the testing time required by conventional methods.
The researchers created a portable, paper-based electrochemical 'immunosensing' platform for rapid diagnosis of HIV and HCV co-infections. The device can detect HIV and HCV antibodies at lower concentrations than existing tests, with high accuracy and sensitivity.
A new study suggests that current hepatitis C virus testing guidelines are missing too many cases, particularly among urban emergency department patients. The researchers found that nearly 14% of patients tested positive for HCV, with one-third unaware they were infected.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge found that diagnostic tests are crucial for forecasting major epidemics. The study shows that precise estimates of infected individuals cannot be inferred from data based on symptomatic cases alone, highlighting the need for reliable diagnostic tests to detect presymptomatic infections.
A new technique developed by Stanford chemists has shown promise to be thousands of times more sensitive than current techniques in lab experiments. The test uses DNA screening technology and could enable early detection of diseases such as cancer and HIV.
A new study published in The Lancet suggests that a low-cost, urine test to diagnose tuberculosis among patients with HIV could save thousands of lives per year in sub-Saharan Africa. The test, which provides results in 25 minutes and costs $2.66, showed an absolute reduction of 4% in TB death rate among patients with HIV.
Researchers developed a new method called ADAP to detect antibodies in small blood samples, increasing sensitivity for early disease diagnosis. The approach could also be applied to saliva testing, offering a simpler and more accessible alternative to current methods.
A clinical trial found that paroxetine modestly improves decision-making and reaction time, and suppresses inflammation in people with HIV-associated cognitive impairment. This is the first time a SSRI has been shown to improve key measures of cognition in people with HIV in a controlled study.
A new hospital-based rapid detection test for the Zika virus is now available, allowing for quicker diagnosis and testing in a large metropolitan area. The test can detect Zika virus-specific RNA sequences directly, enabling healthcare providers to offer rapid answers to anxious patients.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a simple blood test that can accurately diagnose active tuberculosis, setting the stage for a significant transformation in disease control. The test works on ordinary blood samples and distinguishes patients with active TB from those with latent TB or other diseases.
Researchers compared two testing methods: an HIV antigen/antibody combination assay and pooled HIV RNA testing. The new test increased the detection rate for acute HIV infections by 10.4% and diagnosed 82% of cases detectable by traditional testing.
A report published in Annals of Internal Medicine describes the first known case of Zika virus in a US resident following travel to Costa Rica. The traveler exhibited symptoms and had test results that indicated Zika infection, highlighting the need for travelers to avoid day-biting mosquitoes.
Researchers developed a six-question online quiz to predict STIs in young women, with promising accuracy. The quiz assesses behaviors linked to STI risk and can encourage teenage girls and young women to get laboratory tests.
A new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that the most commonly used TB test failed to accurately diagnose tuberculosis in up to 50% of pregnant women who are HIV+. The researchers developed a new method to identify which women carrying latent TB infection are most likely to develop ...
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a gene signature test that accurately determines whether a respiratory illness is caused by infection from a virus or bacteria. The test shows high accuracy in classifying patients with flu viruses and other common infections.
A randomized controlled trial evaluated consent for HIV testing, showing opt-out schemes can substantially increase patient acceptance compared to opt-in schemes. Active choice testing may be the most effective approach in reflecting patients' true preferences, researchers suggest.
Researchers argue that investing in simple diagnostic tests like pulse oximetry can prevent pneumonia deaths and end disease epidemics in the under-fives. The tests could also detect infected individuals with malaria and Ebola, potentially eliminating these diseases.
A new study found that many European hospitals fail to routinely test patients at risk of HIV infection, missing out on diagnosing nearly two-thirds of those living with the condition. In Northern Europe, this results in a significantly lower test rate compared to Eastern Europe.
A Rice University study found that hemoglobin content, platelet count, and WBC count vary significantly from drop to drop in fingerprick tests. To achieve accurate results, healthcare professionals must take care to avoid skewed data when designing new protocols and technologies.
Researchers have developed a novel HCV antigen test system, which significantly improves sensitivity and specificity over current tests. The new test can use urine specimens for one-step screening and diagnosing of HCV infections, making it more convenient and affordable globally.
Scientists found that asymptomatic people can infect mosquitoes with dengue virus, representing three-quarters of all dengue infections. This challenges existing theories and highlights the potential for these individuals to contribute to the spread of the virus.
A rapid-detection Ebola test developed by Dr. Manfred Weidmann has been deployed in Senegal and Guinea, performing exceptionally well under field conditions. The test uses a method called recombinase polymerase amplification and can be stored at room temperature, operated by local teams without the need for confirmatory tests.
A new study by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology found that 53% of siblings of children with food allergies had a sensitivity to a food, while only 13% had an actual food allergy. The study suggests that food allergy testing should be limited in these cases.
Researchers at UTMB created a novel, Eilat virus-based diagnostic test that can diagnose chikungunya in under two hours and is more affordable than existing tests. The test uses the structural proteins of the Eilat virus to mimic the chikungunya virus without replicating in humans.
A new paper device developed by scientists can rapidly and inexpensively diagnose hepatitis B and assess male fertility, making it a valuable tool for diagnosing people in low-income areas. The test, which costs less than $1 per device, can detect the hepatitis B virus in blood serum and determine sperm DNA integrity with high accuracy.
Researchers have found that a deadly fish virus, viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSv), is still circulating in Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin. Despite efforts to slow its spread, the virus can survive in infected fish, potentially leading to future outbreaks.
A new method allows patients to get effective treatment quickly with improved sensitivity and speed. The system operates directly on the virus' RNA rather than requiring extra steps, enabling faster detection of drug-resistant strains.
A new test called ViroCap can detect viruses at low levels and identify variant strains, making it especially useful in situations where diagnosis remains elusive. The test increases sensitivity by 52% compared to standard testing, providing detailed genetic information about viral subtypes.
Researchers developed a real-time DNA sequencing test that can detect multiple pathogens, including Ebola, Chikungunya, and hepatitis C, using nanopore sequencing technology. The test can be used in scarce lab environments and provides rapid results, cutting the time required for diagnosis to just minutes.
A breakthrough genetic testing method called VirCapSeq-VERT has been developed to detect and sequence viral infections. The platform enables simultaneous testing for hundreds of different viruses and provides near-complete genome sequencing.
The Rutgers breakthrough device reduces the cost of sophisticated lab tests for diseases like HIV, Lyme disease, and syphilis by using miniaturized channels and valves. The technology also enables complex analyses using 90% less sample fluid than conventional tests, opening doors for new research.
A new Ebola test using magnetic nanoparticles is 100 times more sensitive than current tests and easier to use, enabling faster isolation of patients and prevention of disease spread. This technology has potential applications in diagnosing other infectious diseases like flu and detecting tumors.
A simplified 'Test and Treat' intervention was associated with increased engagement in HIV/AIDS care and a 62% reduction in mortality among participants. The program improved diagnosis, linkage to care, and treatment outcomes, with a significant increase in pre-ART CD4 testing and ART initiation.
Researchers have developed three new rapid tests for diagnosing drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), which can be completed in as little as a day. The tests were found to be accurate in detecting resistance to most anti-TB drugs, with the molecular techniques showing superior performance.
Research finds that only one in five gay and bisexual teen boys have been tested for HIV due to fears of recognition and lack of knowledge on where to get tested. Testing in schools is proposed as a solution to normalize the process, making it easier for young men to receive lifesaving medical care.
Researchers developed a paper-based device that changes color to detect Ebola, yellow fever, or dengue viruses. The test takes minutes and doesn't require electricity, providing a potential solution for remote, low-resource areas.
New studies at Johns Hopkins Medicine have made significant progress in developing a universally accurate diagnostic test for human herpes simplex viruses (HSV). Researchers also hope to create a vaccine that protects against the virus. The breakthrough is expected to improve screening tools, particularly in Africa where rates of HIV a...
A study found that 10.3% of patients tested positive for HCV, with 70% confirmed as chronically infected, while only 24% had prior knowledge of the infection. Hepatitis C is a leading cause of end-stage liver disease and liver cancer.
A study by the University of Utah Health found that households with children are more likely to experience viral infections throughout the year. On average, people in childless households were infected for 3-4 weeks, while those with one child were infected for 18 weeks, and those with six children were infected for up to 45 weeks.
A new technology developed by UC Berkeley researchers uses light to accelerate the heating and cooling of genetic samples, greatly expanding clinical and research applications. Results can now be obtained in minutes instead of hours, revolutionizing DNA diagnostics.
A new diagnostic test has been developed to quickly detect enterovirus D68, a respiratory virus that caused unusually severe illness in children last year. The test is more effective than previous methods and can be completed in just a few hours, reducing the time needed to detect the virus.