QUICKFLASH: FDA APPROVES NEW HIV BLOOD TEST

On Tuesday, Dec. 30, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) said that they have approved a new HIV blood test that screens for two of the less common strains of the virus.

The TaqScreen MPX Test is the first test of its kind to simultaneously detect HIV-2 and HIV-1 Group O strains. Both of these forms of HIV have mainly been found in African patients, but the FDA now explains that they have been recently detected here in the U.S.


In addition to its ability to detect HIV-2 and HIV-1 Group O strains, this MPX test also screens for the most common strains of HIV as well as hepatitis.

The test is specifically designed to screen for infectious diseases in human blood and tissue samples from donors. In a statement, FDA division chief Jesse Goodman said the following:

Blood donor testing laboratories will be able to use nucleic acid technology to screen for additional HIV strains, further assuring that donated blood and tissue are free from infection."

For further information on the approval of the TaqScreen MPX test, check out the FDA approval letter: http://www.fda.gov/cber/approvltr/cobasmpx123008L.htm

Source: MSNBC