Portable test detects Zika and hepatitis C in hours without lab-grade equipment
A new protocol detects RNA viruses such as Zika and hepatitis C without traditional medical laboratory equipment. Requiring only a handheld reader and a portable heater, it has the potential to bring rapid testing to low-income regions where low accessibility and availability often hinder time-sensitive diagnoses and treatments.
A new testing protocol developed by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign can detect Zika and hepatitis C viral RNA directly from whole blood samples without needing traditional lab equipment. The process involves heating the blood sample to dry it, amplifying the preserved viral RNA, and detecting it using fluorescence. This point-of-care method has the potential to greatly improve rapid diagnosis and treatment in resource-limited settings where time-sensitive medical interventions are crucial.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
