HEALTH/MEDICINE : Company Will Sell Its 7-Minute AIDS Test Kit in Sweden
- Share via
Disease Detection International of Irvine has been given approval to sell test kits in Sweden that, according to the company, indicate in just seven minutes whether someone is infected with the AIDS virus.
So far, the speediest test for acquired immune deficiency syndrome to win approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is one that takes about 90 minutes. Disease Detection said it intends to apply for FDA approval for its seven-minute kit early next year.
Each kit is about the size of a credit card. To use it, a drop of blood is placed on the surface, to which a clinician adds several chemicals. Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is indicated by a blue dot.
Disease Detection President and Chief Executive H. Thad Morris said these kits are not intended for home use. The reason, Morris said, is the prevailing belief that HIV diagnoses should be made in settings where professional guidance is available.
“Our tests should only be used in the hands of professionals,” Morris said.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
