How This Cell Phone Tool Can Help in HIV Detection

Scientists have designed a conveyable and low-cost diagnostic tool, utilizing a cell phone and engineering science, which may detect HIV and monitor its management in resource-limited regions. Management of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV), a disorder that cripples the immune system by attacking healthy cells, remains a significant global health challenge in developing countries that lack infrastructure and trained medical professionals.

“Early detection of HIV is critical to prevent disease progression and transmission, and it requires long-term monitoring, which can be a burden for families that have to travel to reach a clinic or hospital,” said Hadi Shafiee from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the US.

“This fast and low-cost cell phone system represents a brand new method for detecting acute infection, which might reduce the chance of virus transmission and will even be accustomed observe early treatment failure,” Shafiee said.

Traditional virus observation method for HIV is expensive, requiring the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), according to the study published in the journal Nature Communications.

Shafiee and his colleagues designed a reasonable, straightforward tool that makes HIV testing and observation attainable for people in developing countries with less access to medical treatment.

Utilizing engineering science, a microchip, a cell phone, and a 3D-printed phone attachment, the researchers created a platform which will observe the RNA nucleic acids of the virus from a single drop of blood.

The device detects the amplified HIV nucleic acids through on-phone observation of the motion of DNA-engineered beads while not mistreatment the large or expensive equipment. The detection exactness was evaluated for specificity and sensitivity. Researchers found that the platform allowed the detection of HIV with 99.1 percent specificity and 94.6 percent sensitivity at a clinically relevant threshold worth of 1,000 virus particles/ milliliters, with results within one hour.

The total material price of the microchip, phone attachment and reagents was less than USD 5 per test, researchers said. “Health worker in developing countries could easily use these devices when they travel to perform HIV testing and observation. Because the test is so quick, critical decisions about the next medical step could be made right there,” said Shafiee.

“This would eliminate the burden of trips to the medical clinic and provide individuals with a more efficient means for managing their HIV,” Shafiee said.

“We could use this same technology as a rapid and low-cost diagnostic tool for other viruses and bacteria as well,” said Mohamed Shehata Draz from Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “This platform could help a lot of people worldwide,” Draz said.

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