OraSure announces November launch of rapid HIV test

OraSure Technologies on Wednesday announced the upcoming nationwide launch of its OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test, the only Food and Drug Administration-approved rapid HIV test that can detect antibodies to both HIV-1 and HIV-2 viral strains in about 20 minutes. The test can screen for HIV antibodies from oral fluids, finger-stick blood samples, whole blood, or plasma samples. It is the only rapid HIV antibody test available that can be used with oral fluid samples. Shipments of the new test to hospitals, clinics, and AIDS service groups offering HIV testing will begin in early November. The OraQuick HIV 1/2 test received FDA approval in June and subsequently received a federal waiver to allow its use at more than 180,000 U.S. sites, including physicians' offices and community-based AIDS and health groups. HIV-1 is the most common subtype of the virus in North America and Europe. HIV-2 is rare in the United States but is the predominant form of the virus in West Africa.