Health
New HIV test approved
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 19, 2009
The first nucleic acid test to screen for two less commonly found HIV strains in donated blood plasma and tissue was approved by the Food and Drug Administration Dec. 30, 2008.
The new test, called the TaqScreen MPX, detects nucleic acid from HIV-2 and from HIV-1 Group O. Although those strains are more commonly found in Africa, they are being detected in the United States, according to FDA documents.
The test is expected to provide better protection for patients by ensuring that donated blood and tissue are free from the viruses, said Jesse L. Goodman, MD, MPH, director of the agency's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
In addition to the two less common HIV strains, the new test will simultaneously screen for the most common form of HIV as well as the hepatitis C virus and the hepatitis B virus.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/01/19/hlbf0119.htm.
