With 1.3 million new HIV cases and 630,000 HIV-related deaths reported in 2022 by the World Health Organization, improving and simplifying HIV detection in patients is crucial for reducing outbreaks and the resultant deaths. Although home testing kits for various health conditions have gained popularity, advancements in HIV testing have been slower to develop. Traditional HIV tests typically only become effective several weeks post-infection, raising the risk of unintentional virus transmission. Now, an innovative HIV-detection test kit utilizing advanced CRISPR technology is under development and could act as an early-warning system, potentially saving millions of lives.

CRISPR, or Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, represents a breakthrough in genetic engineering, allowing selective modifications to the DNA of organisms in lab environments. This technology leverages genome editing systems that occur naturally in bacteria. A research team at the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL, USA) is nearing completion of their HIV detection method that employs CRISPR technology. Promising rapid results, this test could enable earlier treatment for patients, potentially reducing viral loads to undetectable levels.

The innovative CRISPR-based kit is designed to measure HIV RNA levels quickly using a compact microfluidic device. This palm-sized prototype facilitates rapid self-testing soon after potential exposure, delivering results within minutes. With additional development, this self-testing kit could be available for use in various settings, including homes, doctor's offices, community clinics, and outreach locations like homeless shelters, within the next five years. The team's initial research into this HIV testing method has yielded encouraging results.

“Our goal is to develop a test kit that is not only highly advanced but also user-friendly, like a reliable alarm that detects potential issues before they escalate,” said Piyush Jain, Ph.D., an assistant professor at UF’s Department of Chemical Engineering, who is leading the research team. “This research is crucial given the staggering global impact of HIV and the critical need for early detection.”  

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